Issue 5 -- March 1, 2019

Volume 109, Issue 5

Antique mall sparks debate

Friday, March 1, 2019

In 1975, the State of Illinois identified 108 historic properties in LaGrange, all of which were single family homes. The Jackson Square Mall, according to the State of Illinois, has no historical importance, Sullivan said. Some have a different perspective.

by Tessa Voytovich “Think about the historical significance to our town, to Chicago, and to @tessavoytovich our country,” Amanda Kural ‘19 said. “I know Eye rolls and indistinct protests were a comthat the board that came in 1975 said it wasn’t mon occurrence in the crowd at the Village of historically significant. These people wouldn’t LaGrange Planning Commission meeting be here if it wasn’t historically significant. for the proposed condominium complex It’s been 40, 50 years since then and I seeking zoning amendments. Focused think the historical significance of the residents stood up to get a better look at building has been proven time and time the plans for the building, projected on again.” a screen in the LaGrange Village Hall The developers are hoping to relieve chamber on Feb. 12. these qualms by preserving pieces of the In the beginning of the meeting, the building for remembrance, President of the project’s lawyer Vince Mancini preLa Grange Historical Society Mark Truax sented the plans and the changes made to said. them on behalf of the applicant Dennis “Preservation is what we encourage Sullivan. The DTLG Investments LLC is and like to do so hopefully whatever the outseeking multiple approvals to construct come is, we still get some preservation out of the building, including a zoning amendthis,” Truax said. “We already scheduled phoment to rezone the property from comto documentation of the building, so at least mercial to multiple family residential. that will be on record.” “[The owner] saw an opportunity, as The old building is not in good shape. The he told you at the last meeting, to realterracotta glazed tiles are falling apart and the ly revitalize the east-side of LaGrange,” bricks are dilapidated, Sullivan said. One resMancini said. “This is that project.” ident addressed the commission in agreement Residents and other opponents of the with the developers. project reference the perceived histori“To me it is one big ugly building with cal significance of the old Jackson Square Amanda Kural ‘19 speaks at the village meeting, hoping to blank walls, ordinary brick, and a few narMall building as one of their main con- preserve the almost 100-year-old mall. Lawyer for the developer row windows,” Bob Fredriksen said. “It cerns about demolishing the building.

Vince Mancini argues on behalf of the project (Sorice/LION). reminds me of the Cook County jail. It’s not “The fact that its old doesn’t make it worth saving.”

Continued on page 6 historically significant,” Mancini said.

LaGrange community members debate about building condos in place of Jackson Square Mall

Swim relay wins state Brownstock lives on

Underdog medley relay team captures state title

LT’s annual concert prevails despite rumors

went in as the second fastest team,

by Grace DeKoker Walsh said. @grace_dekoker “Behind the blocks [on Saturday] LT boys swim have garnered state I knew our boys had a lot of confititles, broken records and main- dence,” head coach Erin Rodriguez tained a standard of athletic excel- said. “We were swimming with a lence for the past four years. Going chip on our shoulder, proving that into the 2018-19 season, they were our good years weren’t over.”

The team was not in the lead iniexpected to slow down and lose momentum. Their 200 yard medley re- tially, Thorell said. It was not until lay was expected to just squeak into Breitenbucher dove in and was 10 yards from the the top 12 at finish that they state. overtook St. No one Charles North could have and Naperville predicted that Central, winthe team of ning the event Jack Thorell by 0.12 seconds.

‘20, Michael “Our medWalsh ‘19. ley was hurt the Will Duerr ‘19 most by [gradand Bryson uating] seniors Breitenbuchlast year, so beer ‘20 would ing able to pull swim the sevthis off was abenth-fastest solutely incredtime in state ible,” Thorell history, capsaid. turing a state Key seniors title in the prolike Jeff Vitek cess.

‘18, Henry “For secClaesson ‘18 tionals, we Medley relay team posing with their and Spencer came out and medals after winning the state title at Walker ‘18 left were so hyped New Trier on Feb. 23 (Donatelli). up,” Walsh said. “We posted a real- big shoes to fill, Thorell said. More ly fast time there; we all had good seniors will be graduating this year, splits and were really amped for but the team remains optimistic that state. There was a lot of excitement the underclassmen will rise to the occasion. about our relay.”

The team finished in fifth place The relay broke the pool record at York High School at sectionals, overall, only five points away from with each swimmer going person- placing in the top three.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Duerr al best split times. They entered the state meet as the fastest team, said. “I didn’t want to have any reThorell said. The first day of the grets, and I feel as if I did everything state meet, swimmers need to place right to make this meet go how it in the top 12 to swim at finals. Only did.”

For more in-depth coverage of five swimmers from LT qualified to swim the second day of state in var- the boy’s state meet, go to lionnewsied events, and the 200 medley relay paper.com.

by Mary Okkema @MaryOkkema

North Campus

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Despite the rumors over the past few months, Brownstock XIX is occuring on March 22. Students and faculty have stepped up to keep this tradition going by volunteering and pitching ideas on how to continue it.

“There are events that students love, and then there are also events, like Brownstock that students look forward to because they have not experienced it,” Principal Brian Waterman said. “When SC students get to NC, there is a genuine excitement they feel. So, we are committed to keeping this tradition alive.”

The administration felt just as fondly about Brownstock as the students and staff did, so they appointed new coordinators. “[Brownstock] has become part of the [LT] culture,” Activities Director Peter Geddeis said. “It is one of those things that is on the calendar, and that you just can’t imagine an LT school year happening without.”

Originally, one teacher managed all of the lighting, sound, auditions and schedules that went into planning and production of Brownstock.

Now, the task has now been divided between student assistant Gary Morrill, Auditorium Technical Director Laura Eilers, and Geddeis.

Morrill will be handling the talent and scheduling, Eilers will be managing the sound and technical aspects of the production, while Geddeis will oversee the production as a whole.

Along with the change in coordinators, there will no longer be performances during the lunch periods due to the flow of students disrupting ongoing performances, Geddeis said. Therefore, first, fourth and fifth periods will be reserved for soundchecks. It has also not yet been

100 S. Brainard Ave. LaGrange, Ill. 60525 South Campus

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PH

aper ighlights

Look here for some quick reads on this issue’s features.

Page 2: Me millionth dollar.

Read all about the $1 million donation to Brookfield Public Library on Page 2.

Page 3: It’s the most MUNderful time of the year on Page 3.

Page 5: Read about extraordinary students at LT on Page 5.

Page 6: POLT! If you don’t know what that means, turn to Page 6 to find out.

Page 7: Hit up Page 7, and giggle about the grid. LOL. Page 8: Check out Page 8 for two opinions on who is qualified to run for office.

Page 9: Let’s talk about sex freshman year! Turn to Page 9 for an editorial on Health Class at LT. Page 10: LAX Brah! Read all about it on Page 10.

Page 11: Flip out over boys’ gymnastics on Page 11.

Page 12: IHSA made some major changes. Check out Page 12 for more.

Page 13:

No performances during lunch periods Audition video submissions not live auditions WLTL broadcasting the performances New coordinators: Peter Geddeis, Gary Morrill and Laura Eilers Compiled by Mary Okkema

decided whether or not there will be performances during eighth period.

Another change to the event is that it will not only be aired by LTTV, but by WLTL as well. “[Brownstock] is so important because it touches so many people,” auditioning musician Danny Tuohy ‘20 said. “There are so many talented people in this great school, but we don’t have a platform to show off our talents without Brownstock.”

This year, students will be auditioning via video instead of a live performance. The audition videos will be uploaded to YouTube where Morrill will review them and make the schedule.

The audition videos must be sent in by March 7.

“I think Brownstock is a totally unique opportunity that exists at LT,” musician and Brownstock XVIII performer Andrew Gatland ‘19 said. “It allows musicians to showcase their talents in front of peers as well as appreciate the awesome music culture that LT has.”

Page 14-15: Dear Diary...

Read fellow classmates embarrassing childhood diary entries on the truck.

Page 16: If you want to see not one, not two, but three good boys! Turn to Page 16.

Page 17:

Page 18-19: Who’s top dog?

Check out our Church League Rankings.

Page 20: Not your granny’s church gossip. Check out Page 20 for the dirtiest Church League smack talk.

4900 Willow Springs Rd. Western Springs, Ill. 60558

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Page 2

Friday, March 1, 2019

New Brookfield Library to be built

$1 million dollar donation will allow library project to commence

by Harper Hill @harpss42

The Foundation for the Brookfield Library, established in 2017, instituted a capital campaign in hopes of finding ways to raise money to fund a new library. When a philanthropist generously donated $1 million to the library, these hopes became immediately attainable.

Benefactor Linda Sokol Francis gifted the library $1 million, which was accepted on Sept. 26, according to the Brookfield Landmark. Following the donation, a contract was signed agreeing to the renaming of the library. The new library will be named the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, honoring Francis’s donation.

“She donated the money because she really believes in the community and in the library,” President of the Foundation for the Brookfield Library Jo Ann Day said. “She has been a long time resident. She, her family and her grandchildren all use the library quite a bit.”

The new library will cost around $10 million, according to the Brookfield Landmark. On top of the foundation continuing their work of seeking money, the library has received approval for a $3.5 million loan from the First National Bank of Brookfield. In addition, the library has over $5 million

The new Brookfield Library plans will include major upgrades that will benefit the surrounding communities (R-B Landmark).

saved in a special building fund.

“The donation that was made by Linda Sokol Francis is transformational,” Library Director Kim Coughran said. “It is what is making this process possible, and without it we would not be moving forward.”

The current Brookfield Library, located at 3609 Grand Blvd., was built in the 1980s and will be torn down and turned into a parking lot with green space. The new library will be built at 3541 Park Ave., across the street from the current library.

The new library will consist of a basement, main level,

and upper level- a total of 21,000 square feet. This is a major upgrade from the current library, which consists of only one main floor in which adults and children intermix, Coughran said. The new library will have a separation of adult and children space.

“I think the library is a great place for the people of the town, but it has lost some of its value as it has become somewhat outdated,” Brookfield resident Christian Gatsos ‘19 said. “Bettering the library would be great for the town.”

Other new additions will include study rooms, a quiet reading room, a children’s area on the main floor, adult area on the top floor and a separate maker space including 3D printing on the top floor. A 110-person meeting room will be installed in the basement with a divider that can allow for two simultaneous meetings.

“I like to refer to [the additions] as public library standards—things that our residents don’t really understand are missing,” Coughran said. “You see them in play in most public libraries, [and] you absolutely don’t see [them] here.

Brookfield [residents] are going to find them to be very welcomed here and eventually I would have to say people are going to say to themselves, ‘how did we ever live without having these?’”

The project is currently in the early stages of seeking approval of the site and building, Day said. The new library is projected to be complete sometime in 2020.

KJO Foundation to give out 10 scholarships

Awards given to students who embody joy in Kelli’s memory

by Grace Kulat @gracekulat

Students who show kindness and compassion are the students who stick out for the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin scholarships. After Kelli’s death, the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Foundation was created to give college scholarships to students like Kelli.

The foundation began in 2012, with the first scholarship awarded seven months after Kelli’s death. The objective was to help Kelli be remembered in the best way possible.

“Everyone asked us the same question, ‘What can I do?’” John O’Laughlin, Kelli’s father, said. “There’s not really a good answer to this question when you lose a child. No one can bring a child back. That’s what we really wanted. So, instead, we wanted Kelli to be remembered. To keep Kelli’s memory alive and do good work in her name. To that end we asked people who wanted to help to donate to her scholarship fund.”

Every year there are between 100 and 300 scholarship applicants. The applicants are required to have played a sport for at least

three of their four years in high school, compose a 500 word essay based on a prompt that is described on the application, and get two recommendations from a coach, teacher, or community sponsor. Since the inception of the KJO Memorial Scholarship seven years ago, 75 scholarships have been awarded, a total value of $537,500. This year, the foundation offered ten scholarships with a total value of $96,000.

“The high cost of college is really hitting everyone,” LT College Coordinator Lianne Musser said.

According to Musser, many students in this community don’t typically think about the cost of college until after they get accepted, and then they realize that they need financial aid. Since the cost of college has been increased, many students have been affected by the price changes.

Local donors such as the O’Laughlins are a large part of the community because they change many students’ lives by offering scholarships, Musser said.

“It has really grown into an amazing foundation,” she said.

After the applications are submitted, a committee of at least six people review the applications. They look for people who have

Runners participate in the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial 5K run in 2013 (Claire Quinlan/LION).

similar values that Kelli had desplayed. The foundation also looks for students who show an “eye toward involvement in the community,” John O’Laughlin said.

The purpose of the scholarship is to aid students going to college while also keeping Kelli’s memory alive.

“Kelli never wanted anyone left behind and would want everyone to fulfill their dreams,” John O’Laughlin said.

The foundation will always be working

toward its goal of spreading joy, impacting students’ lives and remembering Kelli. The scholarship deadline for this year was Feb. 13, and the winners will be announced the first week of March.

“In the future, we hope that the scholarship recipients will join the foundation in future fundraising events to “Spread Joy” in helping others to be able to fulfill their potential just like they were able to,” Kelli’s father said.

Brookfield Zoo helps repopulate wolf species

New alpha male will partake in species survival program to combat extinction

by Grace DeKoker @grace_dekoker

Animals are moved in and out of zoos frequently, but the recent addition of Apache, a Mexican gray wolf, to the Brookfield Zoo is more meaningful than bringing in a new inhabitant. This past December, the 7-year-old wolf arrived from Albuquerque N.M., the wolf was brought in as part of a species survival program.

In 1976, there were just seven Mexican gray wolves left in the wild. The species was on the brink of extinction, and in the face of poaching, loss of habitat and an increased human population, their odds looked slim. American and Mexican wildlife foundations called attention to the crisis, and in 2003 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) started collaborating with zoos and animal rehabilitation centers to assist in repopulating the species. The Brookfield Zoo has been partnered with the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) for many years, and has been involved with Mexican gray wolves since 2003. Because of USFWS’s commitment to repopulating the species, 145 wolves live in the wild, and 281 reside in captivity. “[The Mexican gray wolf species survival] program is such an exciting program to be part of, ” said Joan Daniels, curator of mammals with (CZS), and Brookfield Zoo employee for 33 years. “We just love those puppies, and watching the mother and father [care for the puppies] is incredible.”

Daniels oversees mammal care at the zoo. She also ensures the zoo brings in new animals and moves some of them to different zoos, organizes their medical, nutritional and behavioral husbandry and works outside of the zoo as well in species survival programs, she said.

“The Mexican wolf program is one of the most successful programs,” Daniels said. “We’re constantly being asked to do new things, liek hosting the international meeting with all our colleagues from Mexico.”

The wolf pack at Brookfield Zoo was recently separated in November, according to the CZS. There were nine wolves

housed at Brookfield Zoo, in two separate litters, or families.

Space was tight, and the wolves were reaching the point of development where had they been living in the wild they would have split off from their family and started to form their own pack.

Nine of the 10 wolves have been moved to new locations or realeased, according to the Zoo—one alpha female remained, Ela. Apache, was brought in because the two are a strong genetic match; and will hopefully produce offspring in the spring. Apache was found through a genetic matching program, Daniels said.

Keeping track of the genetics is extremely importantwhen species numbers dwindle, the genetic pool shrinks and if repopulation is not carefully planned, inter-breeding two wolves with similar genomes may do more harm than good in the long run.

“Genetic diversity is probably the biggest scientific challenge we have,” said Maggie Dwire, assistant coordinator for the USFWS Mexican Wolf Recovery Program in an interview with WTTW. “When they were first brought into

Apache (background) and Ela play in the snow and get acquainted at Brookfield Zoo. They can be seen at the zoo’s Regenstein Wolf Woods habitat (Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society).

captivity, they were managed in three different lineages.”

Those lineages are still being kept track of today, said Daniels, though it has expanded greatly. Databases compare the genomes of wolves in rehabilitation locations and zoos across all of North America, and the wolves are shifted around frequently to produce the best litters and results, Daniels said.

“Our biggest goal for our wolves is a nice sized litter,” Daniels said. “We want them to reproduce. [The zoo is] slated to do some cross-fostering of puppies [between] our animals and animals in the wild.”

Because Apache and Ela are a strong genetic match, their offspring will be genetically sound and may either be released to live their natural habitat again, used to breed a new generation of wolves in captivity, or even switched with wild puppies to further promote genetic diversity.

Despite the careful management, the wolves are still left to much of their own devices, Daniels said.

“They’re wild animals,” she said. “Ela has constructed nest sites and den sites, and then we let them build their own den sites and nests if they want.”

The average mating season for Mexican gray wolves in early March, with a 63-day gestation period. It is not yet known if Ela will conceive this year, as Apache was only moved to the zoo in December, but hopes are high that a new wolf litter will be born in spring.

“Apache and Ela have been good and compatible and playful with each other,” Daniels said. “It took [them] a while to sleep near each other, but now they snuggle up together. Neither have reproduced before either, so it would be a first litter for both of them.”

Each wolf may only have three litters, in order to maintain an even genetic pool, she said. After their breeding years are over, they may be moved to another facility or kept in Brookfield, as many patrons have grown attached to the animals and are invested in them, Daniels said. “[The zoo] has been an incredible opportunity,” Daniels said, speaking for not just herself and the surrounding community, but for the dozens of species the zoo has helped repopulate. “It keeps getting better all the time—the direction is just incredible.”

NEWS

Friday, March 1, 2019

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MUN joins VFW in selling poppies Organizations join together to raise money to support veterans

by Liz Gremer @lizgremer

Following his deployment in 2015, Joseph Barker, teacher and Veterans’ of Foreign War (VFW) member, felt the need to continue serving his country even after fighting in combat. He joined VFW Post 10778 in Western Springs and the American Legion. From that point on, his VFW post and Model United Nations (MUN) have joined together each year to sell poppies to support their individual causes.

“After my deployment, I was looking for some way to help,” Barker said. “Once I was done with the military part of it, there was interest to me in helping some veterans that could use some assistance.”

Artificial, red poppy lapels are what the organizations sell. While there is no set price because it is donation based, students usually donate one dollar, MUN Advisor Andrew Johannes said. According to the VFW website, the poppies “honor the dead by helping the living.”

The fundraiser began around five years ago when a group of MUN students came to a VFW meeting. The club’s interest in giving back to the community and excitement towards the cause impressed VFW members, Barker said.

“The club was looking for a way to give back to the community and this seemed like a natural fit,” Johannes said. “[Barker] was instrumental in connecting us with the VFW.” VFW and MUN split the proceeds raised in the fundraiser towards their different causes. MUN uses their money to cover the cost of attending different conferences, Johannes said. The money VFW receives from the fundraiser directly supports causes including the Hines Hospital, the Fisher House, and the Ralph Wakerly/VFW 10778 Scholarship for LT students.

“We donate a lot to wards at the [United States Department of Veteran Affairs],” Barker said. “I’d argue that 99 percent of our money goes to [the Fisher House and the scholarship].”

Poppy plant sales begin during the month of May to correspond with the VFW’s national effort by the VFW to raise money. VFW members and MUN students sell during lunch periods at both NC and SC, Johannes said.

“Helping fundraise makes it all worth it,” Lauren Crawford ‘19 said. “It’s really important to give back to a community that has given MUN so much.”

MUN has been the sole club to sponsor this fundraiser ever since it first began. Since the club discusses and debates issues such as war and humanitarian rights, MUN felt like a good fit to support the cause, Crawford said. “[MUN] is about learning about foreign affairs and how countries interact,” Johannes said. “One way countries en-

MUN continues recent success Students take home many awards from Notre Dame Conference, host LYMUN

At the Notre Dame conference on Feb. 1, the LT Model United Nations (MUN) club came in first place, beating out nine other schools and taking home 11 individual awards.

“I was very excited to hear how well we did at Notre Dame,” Matthew O’Malley ‘19 said. “I was especially pleased with the underclassmen who [won] awards.”

As MUN attends several different conferences throughout the course of the school year, students continue to grow in their researching, writing, planning, speaking and collaborating skills.

“MUN is [an] excellent opportunity for students to gain skills that will allow them to succeed in their future careers,” MUN sponsor Andrew Johannes said. “Students develop skills to accurately research to support their position, develop their skills in giving speeches that articulate a position clearly and concisely, develop collaboration skills in order to solve problems with strangers, develop effective writing and they develop a better

understanding of the issues that face your generation.”

MUN has attended six conferences this year, including locations such as Stevenson High School, Carl Sandburg High School, Washington University in St. Louis, Waubonsie Valley High School, St. Ignatius College Prep and Chicago International Model United Nations (CIMUN), Johannes said. The team has brought home three group awards, with 27 students bringing home 53 individual awards.

There have been 21 first place awards and 17 third place awards.

MUN held a conference at LT, called LYMUN, on Feb. 23. Although LT students did not compete, the conference hosted 32 schools, 650 students, with 24 separate committees throughout the day, Johannes said. “[Our] season has gone pretty well,” MUN president Xander Allison ‘19 said. “We hold ourselves to a pretty high standard, so it is hard to be satisfied.”

MUN starts in September and goes through April, with about one conference each month, Johannes said. Students are encouraged to participate whenever they can due to the open

enrollment aspect of the club. There are currently 75 students involved in the club, with 45 active members.

“The season has been great so far,” Izzy Dulla ‘20 said. “Many new members have joined this year and LT has been killing it at conferences.”

At conferences, students are put in political simulations where they represent a policy of a particular country in a political or social committee, Allison said. A group of 15 countries will attempt to solve a global dispute or crisis. Participants are then graded on their speaking and writing performances as well as how accurately they articulate their ideas in relation to their country’s real view.

As the year goes on, students will continue to spend time researching their committee’s topics, gaining confidence and a lot of knowledge pertaining to world issues and possible tactics that can be used to solve them, Dulla said. “[MUN is] a club that helps kids get out of their shell and discuss topics that actually have depth,” Dulla said.

The MUN club’s next conference is on March 8 at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Students from other schools participate at LYMUN (Bonfiglio/LION).

Sofia Menna ‘20 and Izzy Dulla ‘20 managing LYMUN (Bonfiglio/LION).

MUN member take home awards at Notre Dame conference (Johannes).

by Maggie Kahn @kahn_maggie

gage is through wars, which the veterans have experienced.

It is a great way to help the men and women who have served our country.”

In addition to sales during lunch hours, VFW members will also be seen around the community selling poppies near

Spiritual-based yoga class offered at local church Free classes offered two days a week in Western Springs

and attend her classes.

Freedlund-Wareham, who recently suffered from a vertebrae injury, said yoga has

by Anna McCormick improved her flexibility and it is good for @annakmccormick her physical and mental health.

“I like how she combines aspects of spirPastor Katherine Willis Pershey, while studying to be a yoga teacher, created a Faith ituality with the physical practice,” Launand Flow yoga class last spring to help peo- spach said. “We often take breathing for ple reduce stress, build strength and flexibil- granted, so it is nice to connect with your breath.” ity, and deepen their spirituality.

The Faith and Flow class takes place at “The Faith and Flow class is especially 10:30 a.m. beneficial for in the chappeople who el of the identify as First ConChristians gregational who want Church of to integrate Western their yoga Springs, Perpractice with shey said. their faith,” An addiPershey said. tional class “Even though on Sundays yoga emerged at 4 p.m. was from a Hindu added called culture, it is a Yoga for practice and Youth, but philosophy, not a reli- The outside view of the First Congressional Church of Western they found not many gion.”

Springs, where yoga classes are held (McCormick/LION). teenagers Pershey teaches vinyasa style yoga, which connects attended so the class was opened to all age breath with gentle movement. She offers groups. A rotation of certified yoga teachers modifications for beginners and variations teach this class.

Both classes are open to those 13 years for more advanced yogis.

“Each week is a little different, but we al- and older, but all minors who participate ways warm up, do some standing sequences, must have a waiver signed by a guardian, lots of stretching, and close with savasana, Pershey said. The class is free and welcomes which is a deeply relaxing pose that allows church members as well as non-church you to soak up the benefits of the practice,” members.

The church offers Tai Chi classes, regular Pershey said. “People say they leave feeling much better than they came in, which is al- Labyrinth walks, and has a parish nurse who does community health care work. ways nice to hear.”

For more information about yoga classAllen Launspach ‘79 and Jane Freedlund-Wareham ‘79 are two members of the es, visit the First Congregational Church of church who have been following Pershey’s Western Springs’ website: www.wscongo. ascent to becoming a certified yoga teacher org.

places such as Mariano’s and Kirschbaum’s. LT and the surrounding communities welcoming attitudes have been vital to the fundraiser, Barker said.

“It certainly is gratifying,” he said. “It just reinforces what a great community we [live] in.”

Relay for Life brings back King of Hearts dance

Dance is back on calendar after four-year absence

ing, Costopoulos said. This year’s senior class was the first class to not have the King of Hearts dance, Riordan said. The Relay for

by Diane Makovic Life committee decided to bring the KOH @dmakovic8 dance back.

The NC cafeteria will be decorated and “I thought ‘I’m retiring at the end of the filled with students on March 2 for the first year, let’s have one last King of Hearts,’” King of Hearts (KOH) dance in four years. Costopoulos said. “I hope that it will have a The black-and-white themed dance will fea- resurgence because I think it’s a great idea. ture a chocolate fountain and DJ, Relay for And I don’t think we have enough dances.

Life member Jack Riordan ‘19 said.

It’s just homecoming and prom, and not ev“We’re eryone can go to transforming prom.” the location The KOH so it feels difdance was ferent, more originally run special,” Kris by Student CostopouCouncil. They los, Assistant stopped having Principal for the event due to the Class of low attendance.

2019, said.

Relay for Life “I think that has taken over the cafeteria the event as a is one of the fundraiser for most beautiful cancer to raise rooms in the Kathleen Duffy ‘20 asks Sam McGahay ‘20 to KOH during money for their building, espe- the 18th All school assembly (DeBoer/TAB).

Relay for Life cially at night. event on June 8, We’re putting twinkle lights in the court- Kathleen Duffy ‘20 said. yard, so that it looks magical inside and out.

“The goal is to raise money for the AmerWe want to make it look special because it is ican Cancer Society and for our students to a special night.” have a fun, safe opportunity while doing so,” The KOH dance, which was last put on in Costopoulos said.

2015, was shelved due to a decline in ticket The last day to preorder tickets is March sales, Costopoulos said. The last time that LT 1. Preordered tickets will be $10, otherwise put on a winter dance was Lionsfest in 2016, they will cost $15 at the door and $20 for which was also cancelled due to low ticket guests, Costopoulos said. Guest forms must sales. be turned in by February 25th for approv“We wanted to try something new,” al and guest tickets cannot be bought at the Riordan said. “Student Council’s Lionsfest door. There will be small prizes for the first didn’t work, so we’re bringing KOH back.” 500 students who arrive.

A winter dance provides the opportuni“We hope to raise as much money as posty for many students to get to go a dance, sible for cancer and that everyone has a good who might never have gone otherwise and time,” Riordan said. “It’s just going to be a gives the girls an opportunity to do the ask- fun, relaxed dance.”

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Friday, March 1, 2019

Page 5

The LION Newspaper would like to recognize just a few of the outstanding students at LT who pursued their passions and overcame obstacles.

Basketball player pushes, fights through illness Team supports her through chemotherapy

by Mia Bonfiglio @miabonfiglio

Allie Kuhlman ‘22 had just finished her basketball game last December, when she noticed she had lost feeling in her left arm, and it had turned blue.

Her family immediately rushed her to the ER, where many tests were done. She soon found out that a tumor was pressing on her vein, cutting off circulation in her arm.

Kuhlman was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma on Dec. 8; however, this did not stop her from playing basketball. “[Basketball] always gives me something to look forward to and being able to play shows that cancer is not stopping me from doing anything,” Kuhlman said.

Kuhlman was diagnosed with stage two cancer, found in two places. The growth is in her mediastinum, the area between her heart and lungs, and also branches out into part of her neck. A few days after she

was diagnosed, doctors installed an access port under her skin to inject chemotherapy drugs into her body without needing to have an IV. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy in four 21-day cycles. Despite the frequent chemotherapy, she still manages to attend as much basketball practice and school as possible. “[Allie] is a strong, positive leader,” head freshman basketball coach Morgan Gallagher said. “Even with her diagnosis and all of the treatments and doctor visits, she works her butt off to make sure she attends as many practices and games as possible.”

Many times, Kuhlman comes to basketball after a long day of chemotherapy and treatment, Gallagher said.

“Her determination and positive attitude have rubbed off not only on her teammates but on myself as well,” Gallagher said. “I have even told Allie, I now strive to be a more optimistic person because of her. She is truly remarkable.”

Since Kuhlman’s diagnosis, the team has

been very supportive of her, Gallagher said.

They have set up fundraisers to raise money for her battle, including the Pink Out game on Jan. 19, and a bake sale. The girls show support each game by wearing green bracelets on their ankles and wrote Kuhlman’s initials and number on their shoes.

“As a team, we check up on her and stay positive,” team member Anna Bryant ‘22 said. “We don’t act different around her because she is the same person she was before her diagnosis.”

The family has bought into the oncology team’s confidence and remains optimistic throughout her treatment, her father Eric Kuhlman said.

“The best way to describe since she has been diagnosed is like a roller coaster, especially through the more challenging times,” her father said. “We see how her love for not only basketball, but her team too motivates her and we couldn’t be happier that she has a positive distraction to keep a positive framework during these challenging times.”

Allie Kuhlman ‘22 getting ready to make a move during a game (Megan Guzlas).

Senior student advocating for reusable silverware in cafeteria

Civics Take Action Project proposes decreased plastic use in school, logistics need to be considered

pieces of plastic silverware in total for knives, spoons, and forks every week, Food Service Manager Marcy Lingo said.

“My guess would be about 600 to 900 students use one piece

by Nicole Klein of cutlery per day,” Lingo said. @nicolecklein1 Plastic silverware costs around 5 cents per piece and are being continuously replaced, Lingo said. Whereas metal silBefore Kathleen McMahon ‘19 graduates from LT, she verware cost 19 cents per fork, 15 cents per spoon and 33 wants to utilize the resources she has to help her make LT a Here are some facts about the detrimental effects that plastic has on our environment: cents per knife as a one time cost, as long as they aren’t better place. She has proposed that the cafeteria use reusthrown away or taken. able silverware instead of plastic silverware.

“Any change is hard to make, and there are unex“Looking back on four years of high school before pected hardships that you don’t always think you 91% of plastic isn’t college, I wanted to take advantage of the opporhave to go through,” McMahon said. tunities and people here that help you make the recycled Some of the obstacles include making sure the world a better place,” McMahon said. “I finally resilverware are sanitary because they could increase alized I could make a difference in the world, even It takes over 400 years for the chance of spreading foodborne illnesses, Lingo if I’m just one person. If you’re passionate about said. After every lunch period, cafeteria trays are something you can make a change.” plastic to decompose washed in the dish machine and the metal silverShe was inspired after seeing the harmful effects ware could be as well. Another employee would of single-use plastics on the environment. She was 8 million tons of plastic have to be hired to ensure there is clean silverware also inspired by the Take Action Project in Civics, for students to use every period, and the cost to a class that her sister was taking, which encourages end up in the ocean clean it also has to be factored in. people to do things to better the community, McMa“From a food safety and sanitation standpoint, hon said. In early January, she had a brief meeting with each year the wrapped, disposable cutlery is much more saniprincipal Brian Waterman about the proposal. tary than the loose metal silverware,” Lingo said.

“We are fortunate to have an active student body that Source: National McMahon created a petition that has around 750 advocates for great causes on their own, but also classes that Geographic signatures, McMahon said. It is being considered by do projects like this,” Waterman said.

Waterman and the cafeteria, but there are many factors “There are so many kids that simply want to better our school that still have to be discussed. and community, and there is no better place than high school to “We have a lot of great examples of how our school learn how complex this can be sometimes.” cares about the environment, and it is great that our stuThe use of reusable silverware has the potential to decrease LT’s dents are always looking for new ideas,” Waterman said. plastic use and to save the school money. LT purchases around 3,000 compiled by Mia Bonfiglio and Tessa Voytovich

Plastic Points

Photographer graduates early, travels world to expand his craft Student photographer finishes school to pursue art

by Isabella Sorice @isabella.sorice

As Kyle Niego ‘19 started his senior year of high school, he had one goal: to finish a semester early. By taking an extra gym class first semester, and completing all other necessary credits, Niego was able to graduate in December. He aspires to be an entrepreneur, Niego said.

“I knew junior year that I wanted to graduate early,” Niego said. “I was able to leave after sixth period [first semester, senior year], and still have the credits to graduate early.”

After leaving LT, Neigo had the opportunity to travel abroad for two weeks. He traveled to Paris, and was able to backpack across Switzerland alone. While in Europe, Niego pursued his freelancing photography career.

“By completing a backpacking trip solo, Kyle was able to achieve a much greater worldly perspective than before,” Niego’s mother, Cassie Niego said. “Kyle spent a great deal of time on his trip networking with others from all over the world and came

Left: Kyle Niego ‘19 poses in front of Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland during his time abroad (Niego).

Right: A photo taken by Niego in Switzerland while he backpacked across the country (Niego).

across many new ideas, concepts and understandings.”

LT art teacher Jamie Rey watched Niego become the driven person he is, she said.

“Kyle is an adventurist and has a creative drive to capture life from any unique view-

point,” Rey said. “I foresee Kyle will continue his artistic passion. He documents the lives of many people and creates colorful landscapes and cityscapes through his worldly journeys, producing exquisite photographs that showcase his artistic talents.”

Niego has been accepted into Savannah College of Art and Design, but has yet to decide if he wants to attend in the fall, he said.

“Being out of school has been a blessing,” Niego said. “There are benefits of not going to college. I’m able to work on my craft during the day, which is easier than school.”

Niego has occupied his time out of school with more than just pursuing photography.

He and his friend Kyle Reblin ‘19 have started their own clothing line, called “Feel The Wave.” With such a free schedule, Niego has been able to focus on growing his career, he said.

“My goal is to be self-employed,” Niego said. “I’m not sure what I’ll be doing, but I have time to figure it out.”

Since graduation, Niego has concentrating on getting the most out of every day. “[Kyle] has been working very hard putting endless hours in to his work,” his mom said. “Just the other day he commented on how refreshing it is to have this opportunity and that he has already been able to accomplish so much in this short period of time that wouldn’t have been possible if he was still in high school.”

NEWS

Page 6

Friday, March 1, 2019

With a school as large as 4,000 people, the LION Newspaper does not always represent every student. Now, we are sharing the stories of a few, in hopes of making some place so big seem a little bit smaller. Read below to learn about people of LT. compiled by Camilla Breen

Xavier Chew ‘19

“The best advice I’ve ever gotten was from my YoungLife leader Allie. I was talking to her about how some folks didn’t want to be friends with me because I was ‘different.’ She told me that because of that experience, I had to learn from it and do my best to never make anyone feel ‘different,’ no matter who they are. That is something I take with me everywhere I go now, and it motivates me to be the very best I can be. I think you have to be the best version of yourself. I don’t mean the perfect makeup and Brandy Melville outfit version, I mean being the most compassionate, kind person you can be. I feel like I usually don’t fit in with the crowd. I don’t play sports, my body is more curvy, I am passionate about women’s rights and the environment, I attend marches and am very vocal about it. I think they’re is 100 percent room for improvement, but I believe I am very good version of myself. Possibly not the best but there is always something more I can do for myself, others, and the world.”

“What makes me happy? Spending time to make myself better; I want to always be better than yesterday’s Xavier. I write lyrics and rap, that’s how I cope with stress from the outside world. I started when I was a freshman. My dad and I were waiting at a bus stop, and he just started to freestyle. I’m thinking, ‘wow he’s actually really good’ so I started writing. I performed a rap to all the freshman at the Air Force Academy High School. I was really nervous. It was a song about my experiences with my best friends and why we fell apart. It was so cheesy, but I liked it. Then people told me I was actually good and I should give [rapping] a shot. I haven’t stopped exercising my lyrical abilities since then.”

Molly McElligott ‘20

Humzah Ali ‘21 “Any improvement, like getting a higher test grade than my last, or beating my personal best from the past, are my inspirations. Anytime I see a noticeable improvement towards a goal of mine, it drives me to put in more effort the next time. Right now, I’m working towards having a 4.75+ GPA. I want to have good grades so I can have a successful career, because I want to go into medicine. Helping people and having a useful skill set that could save someone from dying is something that’s worthwhile, especially if I’m going to have to go to school for a long time.”

Haven Lisek ‘22

“Before I graduate, I want to try at least four clubs that I would’ve never joined without being pushed to. I do choir and cheer, but I think I’d most likely do Model UN, Spanish club, Investment club, and robotics club.

I just want to try something new. I think something about having so many options at LT intrigued me and these few caught my eye. It might be stressful to join them all, but I think it’ll be worth it in the end if I’m learning new things and meeting new people. [Meeting new people] would be my goal.”

New condo plans spur uproar Continued from Page 1 The developers were adamant that they would include some of the original design’s decorative details. The new building could include similar materials and styles, he said.

“We played off this architecture and some of the Moorish influence. You can really see that in the design,” Sullivan said. “This sample here is showing how we are really trying to incorporate these materials and colors and really enhance this site with a new building and landmark for Lagrange. The new design will be a much nicer feature.”

Opponents, however, believe the proposed condo building will be too expansive—especially those of the neighboring 9-unit condo complex located at 11 S. 6th ave., directly adjacent to the proposed building. Resident Mary McDonald spoke on their behalf at the meeting.

“The overwhelming consensus is that the proposed zero

foot setback will affect us by diminishing our safety, privacy, light and air,” McDonald said. “This development will dominate our homes, affect our lives, adversely affect the value of our property, but most importantly the construction project may very well threaten the structural integrity of our building deeming it unsafe for habitability.”

Another concern that was raised multiple times was the risk of worsening an already existing blind spot on Burlington avenue.

“I think I have driven the route from Sixth Avenue north to Burlington, turning left onto Burlington probably 8,000 times since 1996,” resident Brianna Bill said. “One of the things that my neighbors and I have noticed repeatedly is that we have a major blind spot. So for all the reasons that have been raised already, plus this one, I would like to see the building scaled back.”

Still, losing the aesthetic appeal of La Grange seems to be the most common concern.

“LaGrange is special,” Patti Ernst, who has been a resi-

dent since 1987, said. “I do not want it to have an urban feel.

We’re suburban. I want to get off that train or that highway and breathe a little bit after I’ve been in the city. I don’t want to lose that.”

After almost four hours of discussion, the Planning Commission came to a conclusion: four voted in denial of recommend approval to the village board, and two commissioners voted in favor of doing so. The developer’s attorney, Philip Fornaro, says they will still take the proposal to the board, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The majority of people who spoke that night are in agreement with the four commissioners who voted against recommendation.

“No thanks,” Community Member Joe Ernst said as he concluded his address to the commission.

The LaGrange Village Board will meet on April 8 to discuss the proposal, Village President Tom Livingston said.

For any further updates, go to the LION Newspaper website www.lionnewspaper.com.

Friday, March 1, 2019

opiniOns PageSevenPhotoGrid

Page 7

Greg’sCorner

Tyranny of small minds

Welcome to the Page Seven Grid, which some of you may know as the only page in the paper. This is where we can watch people (attempt to) be funny. Your classmates are asked a series of questions, to which they respond with the most humorous answers. If you have a funny or unique question, bring it to Room 220 and maybe you’ll see it in here next issue!

What would you change your name to?

If you were in a sitcom, what would your catchphrase be?

Would you rather have soaking wet socks or always have slightly damp pants?

If you could swim in any condiment, what would it be and why?

Milkkshake, because that was Mark Jareczek ‘19’s drag alter-ego for WLTL

“Yahoy” because it’s applicable to every situation [ed. note— this is proven true]

Soaking wet socks, since it would finally give me an excuse to always be barefoot

Peanut butter—I feel like it’s thick enough that I wouldn’t have to actually swim. I also just love peanut butter

Thadeus Thinkleheimer

“Fun to play with, but not to eat”

You could get trenchfoot, so damp pants

Honey, like in the “Bee Movie”

Wapbamallama

“Not this again”

Wet socks, because my feet already smell

If butter counts as a condiment, that’s my answer

Tatum

“It’s what she deserves.”

Slightly damp pants sounds sort of refreshing

Chick-Fil-a sauce

Zeus

“*snaps* that’s clutch” [ed. note— what about mental toughness?]

Wet socks

Mild salsa

Maggie Hennessy ‘19

Teddy Schmidt ‘20

Sawyer Reid ‘21

Aubrey Decker ‘22

Thomas Sloan, math teacher

compiled by Olivia Janik and Grace Dekoker

LettertotheEditor

In response to the Jan. 25 article “Pregnancy center opens in La Grange” from Irene O’Ryan-Fox, LT paraeducator The trained counselors at non-profit Crisis Pregnancy Centers across the nation such as the Women's Care Center in LaGrange provide compassionate, supportive listening as well as honest information about pregnancy, abortion and various options. These facilities do provide free ultrasounds, and in varying degrees, maternity/baby clothing and supplies, rent stipends, referrals for professional medical care, legal care, and social welfare.

Since the goal of these Crisis Pregnancy Centers is to care for the woman and baby, many even offer post-abortion counseling. Go to Illinoisrighttolife.org for information and resources. Teachers, see the Heart2Heart videos and discussion questions on that same website which are available for public school classroom use.

LettertotheEditor

In response to “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”, a song played during the All-school Assembly from Nicole Gallicchio, LT English teacher

So much of this year’s All-School Assembly was thoughtfully crafted and carefully curated; one minute ruined it all for me. Every day, I try to show students how words matter. Words matter. And yet, the following words were magnified by the fieldhouse’s sound system: “Superman that ho / supersoak that ho.”

What makes it so insidious is that so many of us just want to dismiss it as a catchy song and say, “I wasn’t even listening to the lyrics,” but that ignores how words matter.

Words have always mattered: Polish jokes were in vogue when Nazi Germany wanted to justify Polish inferiority. LT championed banning the R-word. If we let lyrics wash over us without discerning the dominating and disrespectful language, then We. Are. LT. We. Are. Complicit.

WriteUsALetter!

Have an opinion about a LION article or something happening at LT? Bring a letter to NC Room 220, Jason Scales’s mailbox or email it to Olivia Janik at jan506339@d204.lths.net. Make sure the content of the letter is appropriate, sign your name and include your email! LION reserves the right to edit all letters. Not all letters will be published.

RandomChatter

Did you hear that? Here, the Random Chatter Box, LION compiles some of the funniest, weirdest, and most random comments we hear in the halls of LT. “Wait, is this Russian wheat?”- Michael Ibrahim ‘20 “Two things make me really enraged: climate change and heart rate days.”Mary Kate Gannon ‘19 “I’m a sweaty little Sam’s Club rotisserie chicken.”- Edward Kruszynski ‘19 “I missed 1st and 2nd period because I was up all night making Tik Toks.”Gabi Blauw ‘19 “Stay woke.” -Rebecca Rivan, AP Calculus BC teacher

FollowOurSocial Media!

Twitter: ltlionnewspaper Instagram: ltlionnewspaper Snapchat: lionnewspaper

I just read a (dumb) op-ed from the Yale Daily News. In a Feb. 7 column titled “Evil Greg Smith is banal,” Yale student Isis Davis-Marks argues that white men should be stalked and monitored so the dirt can later be used to destroy their lives. I’m not making this up.

The media likes to divide society into favored and unfavored groups and smear the latter. Look at the faithful and convenient credulity of anything which reflects poorly on males, particularly those from disfavored religious or racial groups. Exhibit A, of course, is the botched coverage following the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. of the exchange between Catholic high school students from Kentucky and an antagonistic counter-protester. The narrative rolled out was that the evil white male students were antagonizing Native American elder and Vietnam veteran Nathan Phillips (Phillips, as it turns out, is a professional protester whose claims of having served in Vietnam are false). It was also reported that the students chanted “build the wall” and made derogatory comments toward Phillips’ group.

After the exchange, however, more footage surfaced, which revealed that it was Phillips who sought to antagonize the group of students. The students were taunted by another group called the “Black Hebrew Israelites.”

There was no evidence that the students ever chanted “build the wall,” though the words were actually chanted by the Black Hebrew Israelites. The students actually acted admirably in an adverse situation, created entirely by “adults.”

The students booed the Black Hebrew Israelites when they made homophobic remarks.

The problem here is that Davis-Marks and others are eager to classify people based on their gender, race, or religion to serve what they see as a truthful narrative: that those groups, particularly white males and, in the case of the Covington students, Catholic white males from the south wearing “MAGA” hats (wow, they checked all the countercultural boxes), are hateful. News outlets like CNN, the Washington Post and the New York Times spun the story when the actual facts were entirely inconsistent with their reporting.

The narrative went so far that the Twitter mob of ignorant celebrities advocated violence against the students. No joke.

The media never backed down from its untruths, ignoring reality all the while. As I write this, the fake story of the “attack” on actor Jussie Smollett continues to unwind. Smollett claimed he was attacked by men wearing “MAGA” hats (of course!) spewing racist and homophobic slurs. Smollett’s story was improbable, to say the least (clue no. 1: how many Trump supporters even knew who Smollett was before this story broke?), but that didn’t stop the media from advancing the unbelievable story of the “attack” on Smollett and cloaking it in credibility, a la Covington. It fit their fake narrative, so they went with it.

The Covington phenomenon, the role of the news media in promoting their narrative and the numbskull celebrities encouraging violence against high school kids should concern all of us. Isis Davis-Marks and the bullies who advance their agenda at CNN and the Washington Post are promoting social tyranny and intellectual fascism. Doing, saying, or writing anything to shamelessly promote their prevailing narrative always trumps the facts.

Write in and make your voice heard.  100 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange, Ill. 60525  LION reserves the right to edit all letters.

Opinions

Page 8

Friday, March 1, 2019

End the stigma

LION surveyed 272 students about their opinions on who is best fit to hold the office of presidency.

PawsUp

n To Wendy’s 4 for 4— alliteration, homophones and chicken nuggets, what more could you ask for? n To private stories—I think you added me on accident but I am always here for the tea. n To student teachers— we know you’re only three years older than us, but we respect you nonetheless. n To March Madness starting—thanks for the excuse to do absolutely nothin gevery. Single.

Period. n To shamrock shakes— for some reason artificial mint tastes especially great this time of year. n To David Hassellhoff— you’re still our favorite LT celebrity, sorry Josie Dunne. n To 40 degree weather— it's practically summertime. n To the 2019-2020 LION Newspaper Staff—get ready for late layouts, PhotoShop meltdowns and lots of coffee. n To Costco— let’s see how many times I can walk past the same sample stand before I get called out.

PawsDown

n To Chicago weather— could we just have one consistent week? One week! n To people with Androids—say all you want about iPhones, at least my photos don’t look like an Etch-ASketch. n To the rumors about senior exemptions being taken away—I wasn’t planning on showing up anyways. n To people who don’t follow back on Instagram—you’re missing out on some hawt selfies. n To fire drills—if you think I would step away from a fire in this weather, you are mistaken. Blue is not my color. n To doing anything other than shavasana in body sculpting—chaturanga does NOT look good on me. n To water fountain filters on red status—I do not need to add risk of getting cholera to the list of anxiety factors in high school. n To racism, sexism and homophobia—I feel like this one is self-explanatory, but some of y’all haven’t figured it out.

Simply put: they’re bad. n To Space Jam 2— Michael Jordan > Lebron

47%

of students surveyed said there is no correlation between how good a president is and their previous political experience

58% 83%

of students surveyed said they believe it is necessary for presidents to have prior political experience.

of students surveyed said that skills from business or the military are useful in presidential office.

The value of true experience

Many in our world are, unfortunately, motivated by the expedient fulfillment of short-term desires. They prefer instant gratification over deferred reward, even if that deferred reward is substantial. These people are, generally speaking, children. They are Greg Smith uninterested in most anything that requires time, dedication, or patience.

Because these people vote, politics often follows their preferences. Just as many people value expedience over long-term good, political goals are almost always oriented towards what is good right now rather than what is good for the future. Case in point is the debate surrounding the electoral college. The electoral college is an impressive example of the framers’ foresight. They knew the country would need the institution to ensure that populated areas alone could not entirely control politics. Additionally, although the framers wanted the government to have a democratic character, they (correctly) associated direct democracy with mob rule.

After the 2016 election, some who did not like the result called for the electoral college to be abolished. Their candidate lost, so they expressed a desire to change the system.

But the elimination of the electoral college would have been irresponsible. It’d give a narrow majority of the public what it wanted quickly at a substantial long-term cost.

The argument that presidential candidates need prior political experience arises from the same expedient desire to discredit the same event. Donald Trump won the 2016 election. He’s far from perfect, and many have disagreements with him. So they believe that a rule which requires presidential candidates to have prior political experience would solve the problem. This argument is not only made for the wrong reasons, but the position itself is wrong.

First of all, to suggest that a presidential candidate needs prior political experience would be a bit like saying that the wealthy should not donate to charities they have not worked for. Money helps charities, whoever it comes from and leadership experience in high levels of business and/or

the military generally makes a strong presidential candidate, all other things considered equal.

This is not to say that a president can’t have prior political experience, it’s just that a senator or governor does not all automatically make a better president than a general or a CEO. Our military’s flag officers are generally excellent leaders who have great leadership skills and are very familiar with what is easily the president’s most important job: national security. Someone like former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis would likely be much more qualified to serve as commander-in-chief than a young one-term senator with no executive experience and little experience even in a full-time job (shout out Barack Obama). Mattis served as a Marine officer for 44 years and retired as a general. Sure, he hasn’t held an elected office, but he excelled in the U.S. military, one of the few meritocracies outside of professional sports. (George Washington had almost no experience in elected office and Dwight Eisenhower had none.)

Rather than asking how long a candidate has had a often irrelevant government title, we should ask ourselves another set of questions: Is this person capable of making an accurate assessment of the issues that our country is currently facing?

Does the candidate have leadership ability and a willingness to work with political adversaries or will his ego alienate them? Would this person be a good steward of our national resources? Does this person understand and embrace our nation’s ideals, goals and priorities? Is this person knowledgeable on foreign policy and would he or she make a good commander-in-chief? Will his or her judicial appointees interpret the law as it was written and intended when it was written, or will they merely make conclusions up as they go along in order to fit with their agenda? Is this a person of character who has the courage to stand up for what is right, no matter the costs?

These are the important questions. Of course Trump misses on some of them, especially about ego. But the fact that he is not a perfect leader should not disqualify an entire group of people from serving as president, when there is plenty of talent to be found in that pool.

Political prerequisites

Imagine you discover you have a heart condition—you need to have one of your heart valves replaced. It is not an emergency surgery, so you have some time to schedule the procedure. You’ll carefully Grace Dekoker research hospitals and each doctor’s education and medical training, how many times they have successfully performed this procedure. You narrow down your options—a young surgeon who has never performed the surgery alone before—or a skilled, well-accomplished surgeon who has done the surgery dozens, if not hundreds of times. Who do you choose?

People want an experienced professional to be performing high-level, high-intensity work. If the surgeon you chose made an error, it would be tragic, but would only affect a relatively small circle of people. Now imagine this man operating on the entire population of the United States—but he isn’t a surgeon, he’s the president leading a nation of over 300 million people.

It’s no secret that President Donald Trump is a stranger to the political stage. While some might feel this is a “refreshing change” to the stereotypical Washington politician, they are wholly mistaken. There is a difference between electing a younger or atypical candidate to office, and allowing a person who has no political, legal or military experience to serve as the leader of the free world.

Historically, previous political or legal experience has been an unspoken prerequisite for the commander in chief—George Washington served in the Virginia House of Burgesses for 15 years and as president of the Constitutional Convention. Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer and sat in the Illinois House of Representatives for eight years, and in the U.S. House of Representatives for four. John F. Kennedy served one term in the Senate, two in the House. Barack Obama was president of the Harvard Law Review and served as an Illinois senator before moving on to the Oval Office—all four men are regarded as popular presidents.

Only four presidents have not held elective office positions in the past century before their presidency—William

Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower, and Trump. The first three had experience at the top levels of government by appointment: Taft and Hoover served in the cabinet, and Eisenhower was Army Chief of Staff. This is still political experience, and still offers political exposure.

In Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, there are three requirements for the president of the U.S: the president must be a U.S. citizen, be 35 years-old and have lived in the U.S. for the past 14 years. These laws were created for the well-being of the country; the president not only will lead the nation, but also represent the country on the world-stage. What does it say about the American people if we elect a rookie to the top office? Can we trust an inexperienced president to have the expertise, the maturity, the wisdom or the simple know-how that the job commands?

If Trump’s presidency is any indication, then the answer is an emphatic no.

Throughout the past two years of his term, Trump has had more than his fair share of scandals and unpopular decisions. Most recently, on Feb. 15th, he declared the increased drug use in the U.S. a state of national emergency. He did this to support his campaign promise of building a wall along the Mexican border. Declaring a national emergency is not an act to be taken lightly, though Trump’s misunderstanding of politics enables him to use the government and the nation itself to further his own agenda. Let us not forget about the 38-day government shutdown that left millions without pay, also done in order to raise funds for his wall.

Experience is critical in order for a job to be done well.

It’s important to bring new faces with fresh ideas to local governments, state legislatures and Washington. But there’s no need to go for the biggest office right away—if someone, wants to run for any office, they should start local and work up. There’s nothing wrong with electing a common name, but they must meet the basic qualifications of the job. When we elected a man who lacks political experience as president, we elected a man who lacks knowledge, commitment to the position and respect for the democratic foundation on which our government is built upon. We deserve better.

We talk about mental health a lot. We talk Olivia Janik about what to do if a friend or a classmate is in trouble. We talk about “speak up-lining” people when they are in danger of harming others or themselves. But, we rarely talk about what it is like to live with a mental illness.

We never discuss how depression affects our academic and social lives.

Nobody ever mentions the physical effects of anxiety on the body. We have conversations about mental illness, but not the right ones.

When we learn about mental health in school, we rarely spend time talking about our own mental health. Often our lessons revolve around a concerned friend of someone who is struggling, but the narrative rarely touches on what it’s like to be the one who is struggling.

Living with a mental illness is difficault. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, one in five adolescents suffer from a mental illness and half of mental health problems start by age 14. These facts make it clear that mental health is an issue for teenagers, but high schoolers at LT only have a three week unit on mental health during sophomore year to give them the information that they need.

If mental health isn’t more talked about, it will become even more taboo, and will be ignored in curriculums and the public domain.

Some may see talking about mental health as showing weakness, but I see it as a strength. Conversations about our emotions helps us overcome our struggles.

Talking about how you feel is scary and makes you vulnerable, but it is important because it enables you to help yourself.

I have anxiety and depression. I’m not afraid to talk about it because I know that if I speak about my own struggles, other people will feel more comfortable speaking about their own. I set an example so other people can get the help they need just like I had friends who were honest with me about their own struggles to help me feel less alone.

Our honesty about our struggles with mental illness empower others and teaches those who are neurotypical about the struggles we face.

By educating people about what it is like to have mental illness, it can help give them an understanding that can aid them in helping someone down the line.

If you’re struggling with a mental illness, the best thing to do is to seek professional help. It’s scary, but you’ll thank yourself in the future.

Talking about your emotions validates them, and can give you the tools you need to live a happy and fulfilling life.

When we talk about mental health, we acknowledge the battles that some people fight in their life.

Every time we have an honest conversation about how we feel, we help end the stigma around mental health and it opens doors for all of us to better understand our emotions.

Opinions

Friday, March 1, 2019

StaffEditorials

Page 9

Another View

Timely teachings

Walking into the halls of SC, freshman regarding their lifestyle and these numbers are introduced to an environment that is will subsequently decrease. completely different from that of their Additionally, the Youth Survey depicted junior high school. Students are exposed another issue at LT: mental health. Thirty five to a different school setting, where sex, percent of the junior class reported that they drugs and mental health issues are more experienced sadness or hopelessness every day prevalent than in their previous school. for two weeks. While this is in line with the Health class at LT is typically offered surrounding area schools, mental health issues to sophomores, or junior and seniors, if are not always addressed early enough. Many they have not taken or did not pass the mental health problems, such as depression, class. According to LT’s Academic Procan be manageable especially when caught gram Guide, the course covers “human early on. anatomy and physiology; mental health More issues that high schoolers deal with (including death education); substance involve sex and relationships. LT’s health class abuse; nutrition; chronic covers sexually transmitted and infectious diseases diseases and HIV, as well as Our Position: Health (including AIDS educaspotting domestic abuse and class should be moved learning what constitutes tion); human sexuality; from sophomore year a healthy relationship. The and first-aid.”

Topics such as mental fact that issues like these are curriculum to freshhealth, substance abuse, talked about is one of the best man year in order to and human sexuality are parts of the health curriculum help inform and preprevalent topics for of here. However, freshmen also pare younger students face these issues and are in any high schooler, not for issues they will face desperate need of this knowljust sophomores and in high school. older. When freshman edge earlier than their sophoaren’t educated about more year. these topics, they make LT’s health class offers uninformed decisions regarding them beneficial knowledge about these topics, as because they don’t have the skills, tools or well as many others. However, in order to knowledge to deal with them. combat current issues that our school faces, we The issue of substance abuse have been believe that health class should be transitioned problematic in recent years. Last school into the freshman year curriculum. year, 3,500 LT students took the Youth This change could occur seamlessly; instead Survey to collect data on the school’s of having two semesters of gym freshman mental health and substance abuse tenyear, have one semester of gym and one dencies. According to the survey, 29 semester of health. Even a change as small as percent of the freshman class had tried this could help decrease drug and alcohol use, vaping, as well as 46 percent of the sophin addition to others. Freshman are mature omore class. The data collected separates enough to handle the content of the class, and LT apart from any of the 31 schools in therefore should be educated on these topics Cook County that also took the survey. earlier in their high school careers.

These rates, in addition to others, are Everyone knows that LT has a problem shockingly high and concerning. This, with substance abuse and mental health. Howalone, proves that LT has a drug and alco- ever, these problems haven’t been addressed hol problem that needs to be addressed in the most obvious and easy way. Even as somehow. By implementing health class small as a switch in when a class is taken may into freshman year studies, freshman decrease the numbers of students acting in a have a chance to make healthier choices, way that harms their bodies.

Illustration by Olivia Janik and Grace Dekoker

Staff Vote: 13-11

Copious choices Every winter, the time comes for stutunities for students to challenge themselves dents at LT and incoming freshman to through a variety of advanced placement or select their courses for the next year. For AP classes. At LT, 27 AP classes were offered many selecting a schedule for next year to students last year. Some of the most comis no easy task because of the variety of monly taken courses are AP US History and classes and levels that our school offers AP Physics 1, and they almost always have full to students. The textbook sized academic class rosters. program guide is full of unique and chalEven for the AP classes that don’t have as lenging courses students can choose from. high enrollment, LT always ensures that the Not all students learn the same way, courses will be available to interested stuor have an interest in dents. Due to LT’s commitment the same things. The LT to allowing students to pursue Our Position: LT administration recognizes their interests at a higher level offers a wide variety of education, LT students perthis and does its best to create a school with a of class options that form exceptionally on AP tests: curriculum that appeals students can choose In 2018, 87 percent of AP tests to all students. When from, and students taken were a score of three or students have the opporbetter compared to about 63 should take advan- percent of students nationally tunity to explore their tage of this during interests, they can excel receiving a score of three or course selections. in their studies. better. Without the support of In regards to electives the administration for so many at LT, there are classes different AP classes, the students like drawing and painting or choir, that at this school would not have been able to are standard at all high schools. LT offers prove their excellence in the subjects they are an extensive list of classes that cater to all the most interested in. types of students. For the foodie, there Another way that LT diversifies its courses is culinary arts, which leads to advanced is through the gym electives offered to juniors culinary and then to international foods. and seniors. Students are required to take For those who enjoy hands on experithree and a half years of gym to graduate from ences, there are classes like furniture LT. Many high schools require physical educamaking, engineering, and aeronautics. tion credits for graduation, LT is one of them, And for those who can’t find what they but what sets LT apart is its diversity in P.E. want at LT, the school partnered with the classes. Junior and senior students can choose Technology Center of DuPage to offer to take a regular gym track or they can choose courses like cosmetology and emergency from the other classes offered, such as SCUBA medical technician training. LT always diving, dance fitness and sports officiating. does its best to give students many differNo matter what academic area it is in, the ent learning opportunities to achieve their administration at LT ensures success for stuambitions in life. dents by offering a variety of classes to match Another way LT offers its students their interests and providing students an the best experience is by offering opporabundance of ways to prove their excellence.

Illustration by Pilar Valdes

Lion The Voice of Lyons Township Students Since 1910

Open Forum The opinion section of Lion is a public forum. Opinions expressed in columns and letters to the editor are the opinions of individuals. Letters to the editor must be signed and represent only the views of the signed writer.

Editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the entire Lion staff. The idea for the staff editorial will come from the Opinions Editor or suggestions of the other editors and staff members. One writer will compose each editorial.

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Lion 2018-19 Staff Grace DeKoker, Editor-in-Chief Greg Smith, Managing Editor of Print Content Pilar Valdes, Art Director/Design Chief Taylor Schmitt, Isabel Tuisl, Managing Editors of Online/Social Media Content Lars Lonnroth, Managing Editor of Breaking News/Multimedia Coverage Harper Hill, Mary Okkema, News Editors Olivia Janik, Opinions Editor Hayden Claesson, Sports Editor Camilla Breen, Georgia Dougherty, Pulse Editors Tommy Layden, Assistant Sports Editor Nina Shearrill, Business Manager Diane Makovic, Copy Editor Grace Kulat, Isabella Sorice, Photographers/Reporters Dani Almase, Mia Bonfiglio, Liz Gremer, Maggie Kahn, Nicole Klein, Anna McCormick, Tessa Voytovich, Reporters Jason Scales, Advisor Ryan Darrah, Assistant Advisor

Staff Vote: 19-5 C ontact

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sports

Page 10

Friday, March 1, 2019

After placing 10th in state last year, boys LAX team plans to compete for state championship

After successful previous season, girls lacrosse team hopes to see continued improvement

by Grace Kulat @gracekulat

by Maggie Kahn @kahn_maggie

“

“I wake up every morning and look in the mirror and say, ‘I’m going to get better today.’ ”

Due to the intramurals program that incorporates perfecting skills, game play and conditioning, girls lacrosse players have been improving their technique during the off season.

“As in any sport, when a player works hard in the off season, they come into the season much more prepared to compete at a high level,” head varsity Lizzie Labuda ‘20 and Kally Karkazis ‘19 scrimmage (Menna/TAB). coach Melissa Mitidiero said.

To kick off the season, tryouts were held Feb. 25. Typically ficult,” defender Mia Gales ‘20 there are 25 girls that make the said. varsity team.

However, the team plans to “[Assistant varsity coach Bob combat these obstacles thanks Regan] and I look for players to to Mitidiero’s conditioning at be coachable, players to want to intramurals, Gales said. It will compete [for] every possession no help the team become quicker on matter if it is in practice or game their feet, ready to take on any play,” Mitidiero said. “[We want difficulties that will arise during players] that always desire to be the season. better and players that continue “I’ve definitely come to more to promote an environment of intramurals because not only is leadership and motivation.” being in shape important, but After a record of 7-8-1 last knowing and having chemisseason, ending with a loss to try with my team is important,” Hinsdale Central High School at Gales said. sectionals, the team is ready to Along with the physical work hard in order to go as far as aspects of the sport, the emotional possible this and mental year, Miticomponents diero said. will affect “I have the season as changed well, Mitimy training diero said. by hitting “ O u r the gym lacrosse proand weights gram pro-Mia Gales ‘20 more often vides an in the preseason to prepare,” environment not only to play Marquette commit Hannah lacrosse and increase skill, but to Greving ‘19 said. “I have also also allow our girls to build unity, been participating in higher level school spirit and support one practices through my club team, another,” Mitidiero said. to help me prepare as well.”

Overall, the team is excited Competing against teams like for their upcoming season and Loyola and Hinsdale Central cre- look forward to playing together ates challenges for the team, Gre- again, Gales said. ving said. Each of the teams have “We’ve been talking about been in the top three many times how excited we are for the and always have a strong roster season,” Gales said. “Bring on the filled with highly skilled players. snow, sleet, rain, pasta, bruises, “So many seniors graduated boys’ games and team bonding!” last year [who were starters and The team’s first game is at had played together], so filling Neuqua Valley High School at those gaps will be somewhat dif- 6:30 p.m. on March 12.

“

“

conference players coming back as well as an all-American attackman, Jack Meagher ‘19,” Molek When the LT boys lacrosse said. team lost to Hinsdale Central in The team has its weaknesses the sectional championship last that the coaches and players are year, the whole team was let addressing. down. The past two years the LT “Last year our biggest weakboys varsity lacrosse team has ness was consistency and startfinished top 10 in state, but this ing the game off slow,” Geraghty year the team plans to compete said. for the state Molek championship. also said “This is the that the deepest and team doesn’t most talented always take team I’ve ever every game coached,” Head as seriously Coach Seth as they Molek said. should.

According “We to Luke Gerhave a very aghty ‘20, the talented -Olin White ‘20 team’s biggest team and we strength is their can coast and still do well or take bond. The players enjoy lacrosse every game on like it’s a do or season because of the time they die game and prepare for a state get to spend together, on and off championship run,” Molek said of the field.

This season there will be “We have great team chemis- changes to the coaching staff try and we are a brotherhood of because previous head coach, guys that love the game,” Olin Dave Demasi, will be coaching White ‘20 said. as the head coach at rival school In addition to team chemistry Hinsdale Central. the team also has many previous “We are adding two new players coming back to play this coaches, which will help mix it year, including many star starting up,” Molek said. players.

The players also plan on “We have depth at all levels, working on their individual game nine out of 11 starters coming so that they can help improve back, with our entire defensive the team. Many of the players core coming back, we have three play club lacrosse during the off really good goalies and seven all season as well as go to LT intramurals.

“I wake up every morning and look in the mirror and say ‘I’m going to get better today,’” White said.

Many of the teams that the Lions are facing this year, such as Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West, are going to be tough competition. This past season the boys lost to Central in the sectional championship.

“This year Central has no chance,” Geraghty said.

JV and varsity lacrosse players try Tryouts for the team began on out for the spring season (Tuisl/ Feb. 25 and the first game is on LION).

March 12 at York.

“Knowing and having chemistry with my team is important.”

“

Ultimate returns for spring season Club makes comeback with hopes of successful games

by Isabella Sorice @isabella.sorice

Ultimate Frisbee club has returned for their spring season, with hopes of going to the Illinois State tournament in June.

Coach Toby Casella admires the sport for its inclusiveness and the ability for anyone to learn how to play.

“Ultimate lets everyone play and work together as a team, and new players are able to learn the skills of the game quickly,” Casella said. “The rate of improvement is dramatic for new players.”

The club practices two times a week beginning in March, but also competed in a fall season. However, the practice and game schedule has not been released for its season yet. Though the team did not win any tournaments, they are hopeful for this upcoming season. After successful practices, Joe Bracero ‘19 wants to continue their upward streak and win more.

“For the upcoming games we want to be able to win our league again and beat some of the top teams in our upcoming tournaments,” Bracero said.

Although there were many positives that came from last season, Bracero is hoping to improve the team by having a more consistent group of returning players.

“A big challenge last season for us is we weren’t really organized, like some players came and went. We want to be able to have more commitment,” Bracero said.

Some of the other strong players include Jack Girard ‘19, and John Dizillo ‘19, because of their experience playing outside of school. Although the team has many talented members, there is a lack of girls playing for the club, Casella said.

“We would love for more girls to participate,” Casella said. “It’s a nongendered club, anyone can come and join at any point.”

Since Ultimate is a club rather than an official sport, it has a more relaxed atmosphere, Casella said. There are no tryouts, and new players are always welcome.

“My favorite part of Ultimate is probably the game itself,” Bracero said.

“Anyone can come out and play and have a good time. It’s competitive but at the same time it’s pretty relaxed.”

Girard is ready for a team-focused season, with hopes of finding more time to practice and to win a tournament.

“My favorite part about Ultimate is that as compared to other sports I’ve played, I feel like Ultimate is more teamoriented rather than individual,” Girard said.

To find the practice and game schedule when it’s posted, check the LT website or follow @frisbee_lt on Twitter.

Jack Girard ‘19 throws a pass to his teammate during a competition before charging down to field to continue the play (David Mortimer).

Mitch Lopez ‘19 holds frisbee while searching for an open teammate to make a pass (David Mortimer).

If you are an avid reader of the LION Newspaper, you know that I do not write for sports.

Pilar Valdes Not because I’m unathletic (I have been known to break ankles in Church League and serve some nasty aces in gym class volleyball) or that I don’t understand sports; my focus has just always been elsewhere in regards to this newspaper.

With that out of the way, it’s important that you know that I am in no ways opposed to sports. I love sports. I have never been a star athlete—I wasn’t tall enough to play basketball or volleyball, or strong enough to continue my gymnastics career. So, I stopped playing sports after grade school. Still, I love to watch football and baseball with my dad, and yes, I do understand what is happening. I am constantly amazed by athletes and their abilities. Their discipline, responsibility and strength—physical and mental—is unbelievable.

Even more remarkable is the time and dedication our student athletes put into their sports. All of our athletes put in time and effort, but it seems as though the only ones who receive credit for their hard work are our male athletes.

Why are male athletes consistently regarded as more athletic, stronger, tougher, more worthy of our attention?

That rhetorical question can be answered in one sentence: because they are men.

I’m not even talking about this on an international or national scale. Although this is a problem plaguing our society on a larger scale—according to a study done by the University of Minnesota, female sports only receive four percent of all media coverage even though 40 percent of athletes are female. This is a problem that impacts us right here at LT. Not enough people go to watch our female sports teams. It’s as plain and simple as that. The solution is just as simple as the problem: just go to a game, meet, tournament, anything and show your classmates your support.

I’m going to be honest, I rarely go to girls’ sporting events. The few games I have gone to, I was one of the few students there, and the bleachers were sparsely filled with parents and siblings who were forced to be there. Why does our school spirit only extend to male sports?

I applaud the Weirdos for making a hype video about girl’s basketball and girl’s poms. I think even that amount of visibility is a step in the right direction. But a hype video isn’t enough. Especially when for every one video or post promoting a girls team on the Weirdo’s Instagram, there are 13 videos or posts promoting a boys sporting event. Our female athletes are just as committed as our male athletes. Some of our female teams are arguably better than the male teams of the same sport due to more success. They work just as hard, spend just as much time after school and are just as dedicated to their sport as boys. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t all on the Weirdos, it is our collective responsibility to support all of our teams.

Girls sports are just as entertaining as boys sports. There is no reason that our female teams at LT do not receive the same respect; there is no justification other than blatant sexism. Before we can tackle this issue on a national or international scale, we need to tackle it here at LT. Are we really going to allow sexism to influence our school spirit? No chance.

sports

Friday, March 1, 2019

Page 11

Soccer trains for season

Girls varsity team prepares for upcoming practices, games

by Isabel Tuisl @isabeltuisl

Tryouts for LT’s 2019 girls varsity soccer team were on Feb. 25, lasting the whole week, testing players’ basic skills and abilities. Practice starts March 2 and the season’s games begin on March 21 with the girls facing Waubonsie Valley High School at SC’s Bennett field, scheduled at 5 p.m.

There were two rounds of cuts during tryouts, varsity center and outside forward player Olivia Wirtz ‘20 said. The first one narrowed down the options for the coaches and the second one decided which players made the team. Both of those nights consisted of scrimmage and keep away games to see how players worked with each other.

“Tryouts consist of a variety of activities to try to get a good overall picture of players’ ability level,” varsity coach William Lanspeary said.

Players who tried out for varsity knew what they needed to do to make the team.

“The things that make a good varsity soccer player include speed, strength and toughness because the competition we face is very high

level,” varsity center-mid player Eileen Murphy ‘19 said.

Not long into the season, the team already has its non-conference New Trier invitational tournament on April 6, only its fourth game of the season, varsity defense player Bri Stirrat ‘19 said. This tournament includes three mandatory games, and if the team qualifies, it advances to the semi-finals and finals.

“This tournament gives us good competition early on in the season so we feel prepared for more competitive and intense games and playoffs later on,” Stirrat said.

The most anticipated conference games of the season are against Hinsdale Central and Downers Grove North, she said.

“Hinsdale is always a fun game just because we are rivals, but Downers Grove North is probably more anticipated because [the team] knocked us out of the playoffs the last two seasons in penalty kicks,” Murphy said.

Murphy is attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to play soccer. Her personal goals for the season are to win super sectionals and most importantly, to beat Downers Grove North if matched up against them in the playoffs, she said.

“I expect this group to be very competitive,”

Elaina Simms ‘19 slide tackles Eileen Murphy ‘19 during tryouts on Feb. 25 (Dougherty/LION).

Lanspeary said. “We should compete for a conference championship and look to make a deep run into the state playoffs. Getting over the hump and winning a sectional this year would be special. This team could do that.”

As far as individuals go, Lanspeary expects a lot from them this year, he said.

“Many of them have been varsity players for a few years and know what it takes to win,” he said. “I’m hoping they’ll provide the leadership and establish great camaraderie—that will go a long way toward us having a great season.”

Badminton expects major success Girls look to qualify for state tournament

by Diane Makovic @dmakovic8 After sending a doubles team and a singles player to the state meet last year, the girls badminton team is hoping to improve its conference finish and send a whole team (two singles players and two doubles teams) to state, varsity Head Coach Susan McClenahan said.

“We did really well and ended up in a tie for first after regular season conference play [last year],” she said. “We struggled at the conference meet and ended up fourth.

It was tough but I think that’ll make the returning players hungry and fired up for this season. We qualified a singles player and one doubles team for state last year. It would be great to add to that this year.”

This year’s team will be without Lauren De La Rosa ‘18, who went to state last year for the doubles tournament with Elizabeth (Lizzo) Cremins ‘19. Cremins will be returning this year along with Katie Materick ‘19, who went to state in the singles tournament.

With the addition of new players, the skills and rankings on the team change.

“Each year brings a new team with new faces and different skill sets because every player has a different shot they specialize at,” Materick said.

Girls badminton is a cut sport, and has become more and more competitive over the years, McClenahan said. Many of the players take private lessons during the off season and go to intramurals every Thursday to prepare for the season, Materick said.

“In order to continue to be competitive the girls have to play most of the year and really focus on the technical aspects of the game,” McClenahan said. “I hope the girls are ready to go, it should be a fun season.”

Badminton is different from other sports in that the coaches can’t coach the players during matches, so the majority of the instruction in strategy has to be taught and learned during practice, McClenahan said. The coach has to find a balance at practice between drills, conditioning, and game play between singles and doubles play-

Badminton is more than just a game we play in gym class. The fast-paced sport takes immense effort; the LION compiled some facts to help inform you of the sport’s intensity. compiled by Pilar Valdes

Badminton is the fastest racket sport, the shuttlecock reaches speeds of 200 mph.

ers, she said.

“My role is to Players typically run more than a mile facilitate practices in one match. that allow for the best opportunity for the In one match, players will avergirls to reach their goals,” age 350 changes of directions McClenahan said. and 400 strokes of their arm.

The team is looking to source: worldbadminton.com badminton-information.com improve upon their end-ofyear finish in order to have a strong sectional lineup and send throughout the entire season to see players to state, Cremins said. how they stack up against some of “I want to go to state for doubles, the best badminton players in the state in general because I went last state, McClenahan said. year and it was really fun,” Cremins “The goal is to train really hard said. “Since this is my third year to be the best we can be,” Materick on varsity, I’m looking forward to said. “I think we have a good shot at having more freedom this year and going far this year.” being higher up in the lineup.”

The badminton season started The West Suburban Silver Con- on Feb. 25, and the team’s first meet ference is a very competitive con- in on Tuesday, March 12 at Lockference, and LT will train hard port High School at 4:30 p.m.

Boys gymnastics faces roster changes Strong underclassmen step up in place of senior graduates

by Nicole Klein @nicolecklein1

Last May, Matthew O’Malley ‘19 won vault at the sectionals meet, which automatically qualified him to compete at the state meet. At state, he was the last vaulter to compete, meaning he knew exactly what score he needed in order to make it to finals. He received that score and went first in finals. Afterward he had to wait and watch the rest of the vaulters compete, to finally see that he had won the state title in vault, and celebrate with his family and teammates.

“It was awesome,” O’Malley said. ”I went from sitting there watching everyone go and being so nervous to then being so excited. It was just a crazy transition of emotions.”

Last year, many other team members qualified for state and the team placed third overall, Head Coach Sam Zeman said. The year before that the team got second, and they have placed within the top five teams in the state the past four out of six years.

“I was really proud of those guys,” Zeman said.

“We have talented kids with good integrity and character. I think we will still be competitive at the state level.”

The team lost six seniors this year, so they will be a younger team this season, Zeman said.

Because many of last year’s seniors graduated, the team will especially be looking for under

-classmen to do still rings, high bar and pommel horse. The team has talented freshmen including Alex Paras ‘22 and Randy Yonan ’22 who are coming from club teams or have prior experience, Zeman said. The team will also be looking to the large number of sophomores, including Ben Taylor ‘21, for success throughout the season.

“We did lose a lot of seniors, so we will be more dependent on the younger kids,” O’Malley said. “However, we do have many underclassmen who are individually very talented. They all love gymnastics and are really dedicated.

The team also lost Marty Lanigan ‘20 due to a back injury, O’Malley said. He was awarded Most Valuable Player last year and had won the most total points for the team throughout the season. Although he will not be able to compete at meets, he is going to be the team manager and

Julian Campbell ‘19 works on his parallel bar routine during practice (Tuisl/LION).

will be helping coaches and teammates at all the practices and meets.

“It’s unfortunate for [Marty],” Zeman said.

“He’s a class act. I want to see him succeed and achieve his goals. We want him to still be a part of the program and to know that he is always a part of our team.”

A week before the season started, the team had a bonding event on the high ropes course in the NC fieldhouse, varsity gymnast Julian Campbell ‘19 said. They have been physically preparing for the season by training at intramurals. Many athletes including Campbell, have attended almost every day. Besides intramurals, some members have been going to open gyms or competing and practicing club teams.

“We’ve been practicing for the last several months during intramurals,” varsity gymnast Genaro Giovingo-Mino ‘20 said. “I’m excited to compete because I think one of the most exciting parts of gymnastics is when you get to show off what you’ve learned.”

The season started Feb. 11, and the team’s first meet is today, March 1 at Hinsdale Central, Giovingo-Mino said. Gymnastics is a non-cut sport. It takes freshman up until spring break, and previous experience in the sport is helpful but not required.

“If someone tries out for another sport and doesn’t make it, they are welcome to join gymnastics,” Zeman said. “This way freshmen still have an opportunity to be involved in athletics even if they do not qualify for their first sport of choice.”

The blackout game is a big deal at LT, and anyone in Hayden Claesson the fieldhouse can tell by the hordes of students clad in black that we don’t mess around when it comes to cheering on our basketball team. As an athlete, I know what it is like to have a huge crowd in the stands cheering you on; it gets you hyped up knowing that so many people are supporting you and yet, the support helps keep you calm at the same time.

However, the love for athletes at LT seems to be pretty lopsided. Yes the basketball teams and football teams draw in a ton of fans, but other than those two sports the amount of people going to watch other sports decreases by a large margin. While I understand why it happens, I still don’t like it. It’s easy to watch basketball and football games where a majority of the spectators know the rules and how the game is played so they can follow it better.

It’s much harder to watch a sport like Lacrosse if you don’t know the rules and have trouble following what is happening for the whole game.

At the same time, if you don’t know that much about a sport, you can still have a ton of fun watching it. If there is a big enough crowd there and the energy is high, it can be a blast to watch something even if you are ignorant to the intricacies of the game. In 2015, I watched the LT boys water polo team win state at Stevenson; at that point in my life I had never played or watched a game of water polo, but the energy of that crowd made watching the competition an incredible experience; so much so that I joined the LT water polo team my freshman year.

This fall, I loved the massive support that followed the LT Soccer team on their postseason run; soccer is a sport at LT that I feel like doesn’t get enough love, and seeing the huge crowds at Riverside-Brookfield that were supporting them really shows something about our school’s ability to rally behind a team.

I wish that we could see more of these kinds of things, where our incredible student section can come to more than just simply the most popular sports. Some of our teams at LT are really good and entertaining to watch: Lacrosse was a top 10 team all season last year and boys swimming and water polo got second and third, respectively. Yet it doesn’t feel like it just because the hype surrounding these sports isn’t as big as it should be, and some sports like football still attract massive crowds even if they have lackluster seasons.

This doesn’t fall just on the Weirdos or the school to hype up sporting events; it falls on all students at LT. If you and some friends want to hit up a gymnastics or swim meet then go for it. I’m sure that it will be fun if you get into it and your student athletes will appreciate it, as well.

Page 12

SPORTS

Friday, March 1, 2019

IHSA to abolish football conferences, replace with new district formatting

by Hayden Claesson @haydenclaesson

Any student athlete who competes in an Illinois High School (athletic) Association sport knows the basics of how teams are divided. For many sports in the IHSA, teams are divided into conferences, and these conferences can be based on many things. Such reasons can include geography, school size, history, rivalries or anything that could possibly link schools together.

However, for IHSA football, this division of schools based on conferences is coming to a close. High schools across the state voted 324-307 with 69 schools abstaining for the passing of Proposal 23, which directs the IHSA to get rid of football conferences in favor of eight team districts starting in the 2021 season.

The driving force behind the push for this to pass was the argument to give teams stability that have not had it in the past. LT is in the West Suburban Silver Conference, which has experienced very little change in the past few decades regarding what teams are in the conference and the scheduling of games. Other teams have not had this luxury: teams such as Macomb, Quincy Notre Dame and Hamilton (West Hancock) are examples of this, IHSA Executive Director Sam Knox said. There are other reasons behind the passing of Proposal 23, which includes easier scheduling of teams who have problems finding opponents during the season.

“In some areas, schools are changing conferences so they can put their football team in a better position to be successful,” Knox said. “This happens often and can cause scheduling issues, not only for football, but for other sports at that school that might be forced to change conferences because of the football team’s move.”

The new proposal is modeled after the system the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IAHSAA) currently has in place. The system will group schools into classes of 64 teams based on enrollment, similar to the system currently in place. From those 64 teams, it will be divided further into eight districts, Knox said. Each team will play every other team in their district during the regular season in a schedule determined by the IHSA. On top of those seven games scheduled by the IHSA, a school may choose to play in three games at the beginning of the season outside of their districts that do not affect playoff placement. That way they can play teams that may be rivals from old conferences who may not be in their district.

“Teams don’t necessarily have to play teams in their current conference,” LT Athletic Director John Grundke said. “All of those teams that we normally play we may not have a chance to play. For example, we may not be

scheduled to play Hinsdale Central.”

However, this system is not without its flaws—after all, 307 schools voted against it. While the system promises schools have a schedule already set for them, the scheduling only applies to the varsity level, Grundke said. That means that schools still need to figure out their own schedules for freshman, sophomore and JV levels of their teams, which leave schools like LT with the same issues that were attempting to be solved in the new proposal. This division between levels can cause issues with logistics of sending different teams to different schools, as well as splits up the coaching staff who may be at different schools.

“Typically you have varsity and sophomore teams playing at similar times,” Grundke said. “That way we can have varsity coaches scout the lower levels and work with different positional players and see who they can bring up to varsity in later years.”

Another reason that the proposal was passed is so that certain teams don’t have to go significantly out of their way to find matchups for the season. Under the current system, schools would have to find other teams to play on their own, Knox said. However, with the new system, schools will not have to worry about creating a schedule as the IHSA sets the schedule under two year cycles.

“These games won’t be a factor in playoff qualification, so there is less risk in playing a school that is really good,”

Knox said. “Schools can play other local schools in non-district games or they can take longer trips to play schools that are farther away. It will be completely up to each school.”

Every two years the teams in a district can change, which can be based on student enrollment or success in the prior two years. This also allows for teams to have an opportunity to play teams that they may have never played before.

The vote for the passing of Proposal 23 was comprised of one representative from each school, these representatives can be athletic directors or principals. There are three levels of voting, there are town meeting and if the vote passes in enough town meetings, then it gets proposed to the legislative commission, who vote similarly to how their constituents at the lower level voted. If it passes at the legislative commission, then an official ballot is sent out to each school for an official representative to vote.

“LT’s official vote was no, we don’t want to go to this new districting,” Grundke said. “There are a couple different reasons, one of the biggest reasons is that I love our conference and I love playing teams in our conference.”

Despite LT’s official vote against Proposal 23, LT’s school spirit and level of competition will not be faltered.

“I’m comfortable in whoever we have to play,” Grundke said. “We are an 8A school, we are at the highest level of play, and whoever we do play, it is not going to make that big of a difference.”

Dissolved IHSA Football Conferences LT joined the West Suburban Conference in 1935, and has been a member ever since. Other schools have not had the same luxury of being in a stable conference. Compiled is a series of conferences that have dissolved so far this century.

Upstate Illini Conference (2000) North Egypt conference (2003) Suburban Prarie Conference (2005)

South InterConference Association (2006) Four Rivers Conference (2006) Mid-South Conference (2008)

Olympic Conference (2010)

Big Rivers Conference (2012)

Western Sun Conference (2010)

Suburban Catholic Conference (2015)

North-Central Illinois Conference (2011)

Mid-State Six (2015)

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by Tommy Layden @layden_tommy

and the person he has become,” Michael’s mother, Allison Walsh, said.

After a string of strong performances at tournaments and showcases run through Perfect Game, Walsh was named an All-American by the As Ryan Hammond ‘17 touched the wall at just over one minute and 30 secend of last summer. Walsh’s parents, Allison and Michael T., have been onds, LT shattered the previous state record by less than a second. Along with very proud of their son’s All-American status in the pool, on the the help of Spencer Walker ‘18, Jeffery Vitek ‘18, and Michael Walsh ‘19, the mound and in the classroom. swimmers set the new record for the 200 yard medley relay, automatically making “He wouldn’t get there without his willingness to hear the mesall four All-American Athletes and in the process leading LT to its second consecsage from his teammates and coaches,” his father said. utive state championship.

Although this upcoming state meet may be one of the last times Two days later Walsh prepared for LT baseball season. As he stepped on the Walsh swims competitively, he plans to continue playing baseball mound and threw his first pitch he felt a pop. in 2020, at Yale University.

“At first I pretended nothing happened, and my next pitch went 15 feet—I “[The] sacrifices on his part, [were] he had to miss out on social knew something was wrong, I could not bend my arm,” Walsh said. things to always be at a game, always be in shape, and always be Unfortunately, Walsh had just fractured the growth plate in his epicondyle. training, to stay dedicated to the sport, “ his mother said.

His first varsity season had come to a close after just one 89 mph pitch.

In each of the past two seasons, Yale has led the Ivy League with “I went to Rush hospital, I got an x-ray and an MRI,” Walsh said. “Then Dr. a 16-4 record in 2017 and a 15-6 record in 2018. The success of late is [Nikhil] Verma, the team physician for the the Chicago White Sox came in, what made Yale such an attractive choice for Walsh. and he said I wasn’t going to be able to play my sophomore year.”

“I always told Michael to go somewhere only his athletics and grades As Walsh approached the most crucial stretch of combined could get him, and [Yale] was the best option,” his father said. college baseball recruiting, the summer In anticipation of baseball season Walsh continues his training regibetween his sophomore and junior men, which includes lifting, shoulder exercises, and throwing a certain year, he was sidelined. All he number of pitches each week. In the past two years LT has a 4-2 record could do was train to strengthen against Hinsdale Central. In his final year Walsh is looking forward to his his legs and his core. last games against Central.

“I got so bored of running that “I’m going to miss unleashing a reign of terror and brutally demolishI even learned how to throw a little ing every little boy that HCHS puts out on the field,” Walsh said. bit left handed,” Walsh said.

In the state meet on Feb. 22, Walsh swam the 50-yard freestyle, 100Walsh pressed on, he got yard breastroke, 200-yard freestyle relay and he was in the State winning healthy and by the fall of his junior 200 yard medley relay (see page 1 for full story). He set a team record in year he was back on the mound making his parents proud. the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard breastroke, and placed third and second “He struck out the number one or two hitter [in his junior overall, respectively. He recently started baseball season, and will pitch in year], and that was a fun, exciting moment, but I’m most proud of how he has handled himself through high school Walsh prepares for the 50 yard freestyle the team’s first game on March 18. at the 2019 IHSA state swim meet at New Trier High School (Claesson/LION).

Emotional intelligence

Friday, March 1, 2019

Page 14

‘Mortified Nation’ documentary conveys importance of EI, SEL

In the true sprit of the Netflix documentary, ‘Mortified,’ we compiled the old diary entries of some LT students to see how they’ve evolved. Below are some of the best entries, as well as each student’s reaction.

Provokes question of incorporating such classes into LT curriculum

by Camilla Breen @c_breen125

In a world driven by interpersonal connections, many psychology professionals say that emotional intelligence is the key to personal and professional success. More “social emotional learning” (SEL) classes are introduced to school yearly. To understand how increased emotional intelligence, or emotional quotient (EQ), can help people’s everyday life, it is imperative to understand what it is. EQ measures a person’s ability to understand their own emotions and display empathy towards others’ emotions.

“We believe that SEL is extremely important to our students’ success both here at LT and in the future. Emotions impact everything we do, sometimes in positive ways and sometimes in negative ways,”Assistant Division Chair for Special Education and chairperson of the Social and Emotional Learning Team Leslie Owens said. “Being emotionally intelligent means that you have the tools to understand the role that emotions play in your life, how those emotions can impact your relationships and even school and work performance, and most importantly, that you have strategies for addressing any unwanted or negative emotions in a healthy way.”

Learning about one’s own emotions is not only beneficial for yourself, but it affects your learning in other areas. Social emotional learning (also known as social emotional literacy) is important for kids to learn because with it comes an increase in respect for themselves and others. They also learn coping mechanisms that sets them up for interpersonal relationships later in life. A 2011 study done by CASEL tracked students’ growth throughout a three-year period to see if SEL impacted their studies; the students

exposed to SEL scored an average of 13 percent higher on tests than those not exposed to SEL. “Research shows that students with higher emotional intelligence do better academically, have fewer disciplinary referrals, and engage in fewer risk-taking behavior such as alcohol and drug use,” Owens said. “The increase in positive outcomes and reduction in negative outcomes best prepares students for a successful life, which is ultimately our goal for every single student as educators at LT.” Emotional competence also allows us to laugh at ourselves; without it, we would not be able to reflect on embarrassing blunders with an air of confidence. Embarrassing things happen to all of us, but especially when we are children. Most people are able to laugh it off and get over it, thanks to a high emotional intelligence.

“LT should offer a class so more students can learn to identify their emotions and learn techniques to help them work through negative emotions,” Psychology teacher Michael Morrison said.

“More and more students around our country are reporting feelings of depression and anxiety. Perhaps an SEL based class could help them identify such feelings when they first arise and then utilize techniques they have learned in a SEL based class for their betterment.”

Think about your elementary school self: you probably did some weird things, right? Everyone did. In the true spirit of learning to laugh at yourself and “sharing the shame” a la “Mortified Nation” (a 2013 documentary in which adults read and reflect on their childhood diary entries), SEL classes aim to teach intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive competence, as well as the importance of self-awareness. Once you become aware of your own emotions, you can laugh at yourself.

Sources: casel.org/research, understood.org/en/learning

Volume 109, Issue 5

compiled by Camilla Breen, Georgia Dougherty and Pilar Valdes *spelling and grammar have not been changed in order to preserve the authors’ original intents.

Dear Diary, Today I went to Robert Crowns and the presentation was really desturbing . We learned things that I’m pretty sure we didn’t need to know yet. Right after, I had soccer. Not the best combo but I lived with it.

Bri Stirrat ‘19 Man, I don’t know how I dealt with that. Fifth grade must have been traumatizing.

Before you continue, let me say ry, this. If you were to find this dia you good for you you’re clever. If one ch tou n eve get on my bed or of my babies (stuffed animals) if you will be sharp-shootered. t you actually read on to the nex ed ow wid ck pages, you will be bla I and I will pull as hard as I can. w know where you are and I kno d An s. thi g that you’re readin I’m I’m coming for you right now. watching you so BEAT IT Annabel Dougherty ‘21

Our class has lost 41 teeth this y ear. I lost 4 teeth. 1 2 3 4.

Zach Schierl ‘19 I’ve lost all my tee th now. Definitely more than four but probably not 41. That’s a scary amount of teeth.

I’m glad my violent side has gone away.

m with my mo t n e w I y a d To ause g store bec in p p o h s o to iodg my own d I was gettin lnt eddie cood erant so Fr put it on my yell when I belly ge ‘19

Page 15

dear, hony t I know wow you can sher rite alo ..I isinit clod out brrrrrrrrrr. yoff da t tha know why we had y and da it was cristofr clombess stofr thate speshell man is cri chael did a mi bet I clombesday and good job [Ed . note: If you can’t understand] ther can we.

Love,nora this, don’t worry. Nei Nora Ahrens ‘19

emails This is just one of many to that 8-year-old me liked ey” on ,“H ma nd send to my gra risCh n ma l cia spe the about topher Columbus.

Owen Fig

odorant I still put de on my belly.

SONGS FOR COOL BEANS • set fire to the rain • ocean mountain and the sea (ingrid) • jar of hearts • ho hey • glad you came • i will wait- Mumford and Sons • Stronger • Little Talks

Sophia Lazarski ‘20 My friends and I saw the One Direction movie and wanted to be like them so we made a band called “Cool Beans.”

We wore 3D glasses with eye holes poked out.

It turns ou t I didn’t ge t my tosils out but no w I am mad ly in love w *name*. He ith is the nicest , hotest, smartest an d best best boy in 3rd grade. If it wasn’t for h im my 3rd grade would be the wors t year ever.

What if he doesn’t like m e or what if he thinks i’m ugly, bu t both of those are to tally wrong because I’m extremely p retty and h e likes me so much that he talks to me all day a ask me to d nd o homework . AHHHH!! !

Olivia Was hburn ‘20

I guess he w as pretty spec ial because I w as way too ex cited about doing homework.

Today I could have made a lot of money but construction workers didn’t know me and my friends dug for them for the new house down the block. If I had that job I would make a huge mansion.

But it would look like a normal house but huge. I’ve never seen that before. Signing off.

Erik Chomko ‘19 Well, I still think it would be sick to have a mansion sized house, but I am not as excited about it as I was before.

Over the weeken d I went to the beech. It was va fun. I fond a beab ry fish. Wen I fond the fish the head was missing. Olso wen I fond the fis h it was just bone s.

Tyler Simm

s ‘22 I am a bit afr come a sk aid that the fish w eleton an d haunt m ill bee.

Dear D iar I had an y, awful n ightmar last nig ht. It w as abou a boy se t eing me take m pants o y ff. Than kfuly af that ha ter ppend I woke up Love, E . mily

Emily D

ickett ‘19

I still hav e tha mare from t nighttime to time. Do you I need a d think rea interprete m r?

GET OUT

Page 16

Friday, March 1, 2019

‘The Halal Guys’ opens ‘How To Train Your on South LaGrange Rd. Dragon’ trilogy review Middle Eastern restaurant offers new options, variety

Final installment of childhood classic ends trilogy

by Mia Bonfiglio @miabonfiglio

by Georgia Dougherty @georgiadoc6

a bit expensive for a fast food resturant.

In my gyro, I chose beef served over basmati rice, lettuce, tomato, hummus, and a special white sauce. The beef was hot Middle Eastern food is pretty foreign and the gyro was packed with ingredients. to me, so when The Halal Guys opened at It was a challenge for me to bite into the 5621 S. LaGrange Rd., Countryside, I did overstuffed pita, yet the flavors still meshed not know what to expect. I heard from to create an amazing taste. However, the friends who had eaten at the food cart falafel was overcooked and very difficult in New York—where the resturant was to bite into. The taste was bland and didn’t started—and they all had great things to have much to offer. Other than the falafel, say about it. Despite some locations in my meal was great. downtown Chicago, there is nothing that While I was eating, an employee serves this type of food in the area, so I had greeted me in a friendly manner and asked set my expectations pretty high. how the food was. This was very nice and The resturant is situated among other unexpected considering it is a fast food resfast food chains, so I assumed the inside turant. The resturant also offers a chicken would resemble a typical fast food resplatter ($7.99), beef platter ($8.49) and a turant. When I walked in, I was taken chicken sandwich ($6.99). aback by the unique feel of the resturant.

Overall, my first experience at a Middle The walls were built of exposed brick and Eastern resturant exceeded my expectations bright lighting, rather than wood that other fast food resturants have. I noticed it of the resturant. I was able to overlook the was very clean, which is a super important falafel and generally high prices at The Halal Guys for the great service and main quality for any restaurant for me. entrees. I would definetly recommend this There was one person in front of me resturant if you are looking for a new type who was helped very quickly and soon of food. after, I ordered. The food was prepared as I ordered and the staff was very helpful explaining each type of food. There were a few groups of people at the resturant, but there was still plenty of room to sit down.

I ordered a beef gyro for $6.99 and a side of falafel for $1.50. The prices seemed

3.5/5

Our thrilling, friendly, dragon adventures, known as the “How To Train Your Dragon” series, has now come to an end.

And this ending could not have been more moving, nostalgic and bittersweet thanks to the emotional trilogy-capper, “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.”

From the first movie, which introduced us to our goofy underdog hero, Hiccup, and his affectionate best friend, Toothless, a rare and powerful alpha dragon called a Night Fury, to this recent film, there has been a major evolution in the animated world of Vikings and dragons.

For one, the cinematic magnitude that DreamWorks took on is exhilarating.

Starting with the first scene—Hiccup and the crew’s rescue mission, there is a lot going on. For one thing, it’s dragons, dragons, dragons; I’ve never seen so many and it’s spectacular! For another, the metallic, foggy, dark atmosphere foreshadows a less humorous film than the two before it, full of battle scenes, fire and doleful flashbacks of a missing main character.

If you haven’t seen the first two movies in a while, I would suggest catching yourself up on them for two reasons. One, I

was awfully confused in the first couple scenes. And two, what this movie nails in grandeur, it lacks in character development.

I was really missing out on Hiccup’s classic and weak humor, and the wacky relationships between the Vikings of Berk. This film is much more mature than its predecessors, which often made me forget that it is meant for children.

Onto the plot. Embedded in the fast moving and dramatic—albeit cheesy at moments—plot line, this movie tackles numerous themes. Some of which are marriage, as Hiccup and his fellow Viking love interest Astrid navigate their readiness for it; leadership, as Hiccup struggles leading his Viking civilization into the unknown; and friendship, as Hiccup and Toothless’ quirky and heartwarming friendship strives to overcome obstacles such as, yes, Toothless’ girlfriend, a Light Fury.

This film is very capably and stirringly final—that is, it is a daring and bittersweet conclusion to one of our favorite trilogies.

I’ll be honest, it’s a bit of a tear jerker at the end. Although obviously, the first movie will remain my favorite and the one I’ll watch over and over, this film wrapped up Hiccup and Toothless’ dazzlingly quirky, fantastically whimsical, and dragon-obsessed adventures quite nicely.

4/5

The chicken platter from “The Halal Guys’” that includes basmati rice, lettuce, tomato, hummus, and white sauce (Bonfiglio/LION).

6. Coloring Outside The Lines- Misterwives

1. Rum Rage- Sticky Fingers 2. Lottery- Jade Bird

News Editor, Mary Okkema ‘19 Give this playlist (and others) a listen on our Spotify: lionnewspaper

Hiccup flies his dragon Toothless into battle (Dreamworks Animation).

From left to right: hummus, beef gyro, and chicken platter (Bonfiglio/LION).

3. Lookalike- Conan Gray 4. Somewhere Along the Way- Dawes

8. Sink- Noah Kahan

13. Dead Man Walking- Jon Bellion

5. 24/7/365- Surfaces

9. Naive- The Kooks

14. Worst- Quinn XCII

Editor’s Rate: 30/10 triple the love for triple the doggos.

100 S. Brainard Ave. LaGrange, Ill. 60525

12. Box of Rain- Grateful Dead

Want your pet to be featured in the LION? Send a photo of your pet with a short bio to val505305@ d204.lths.net for a chance to win!

apy Dog, Luna has trained to herd sheep and Reina does deep pressure therapy to alleviate pain or bring a person to a state of calmness.



11. Rhiannon- Fleetwood Mac

7. Ship to Wreck- Florence + the Machine

Type of Pet: Border Collies Age (left to right): 2.5yrs, 1.5yrs, 4yrs Weight: 30lbs, 40lbs, 60lbs Owner: Señora JoEllen Gregie Hobbies: Catching frisbees mid-air Fun Fact: Westley is training to be a Ther-

North Campus

10. Wildflowers- Tom Petty

compiled by Liz Gremer and Pilar Valdes 

South Campus



4900 Willow Springs Rd. Western Springs, Ill. 60558

Page 18

Friday, March 1, 2019

CHURCH LEAGUE Our panel of church league experts has definitively ranked the top seven teams in the league. The panel included Tommy Layden ‘20, Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny and Jesus Christ. The rankings exclude any teams without LT players, as they are inferior.

Page 19

Volume 109, Issue 5

#1 SFX SFX DILLON DILLON FEATURED PLAYER EMMETT CUSHING ‘19

TEAM RECORD: 8-1 TEAM STRENGTH: Scoring more points than you.

#2 CONGO SENIORS

FEATURED PLAYER JIMMY RIORDAN ‘19

#3 SJC SJC LOPEZ LOPEZ SENIORS SENIORS

FEATURED PLAYER AJ HIRSTEIN ‘19 TEAM RECORD: 8-1 TEAM STRENGTH: Good ball move-

TEAM RECORD: 7-2

ment. Team chemistry. Good Shooters

TEAM STRENGTH: We have the best back court in the league, our chirp game is strong.

CAROLAN CAROLAN JUNIORS JUNIORS FEATURED PLAYER AIDAN KELLY ‘20

TEAM RECORD: 8-1 TEAM STRENGTH: Lack of mercy for

our opponents.

all show up, we’re a subpar team.

TULLIS TULLIS SENIORS SENIORS

#4 CLETUS CLETUS

TEAM WEAKNESS: None.

TEAM WEAKNESS: When we don’t

#5 #5 SFX SFX

TEAM WEAKNESS: Hudson Feichtinger ‘19.

#6 #6 SFX SFX

O’MALLEY O’MALLEY SENIORS SENIORS FEATURED PLAYER NOLAN O’MALLEY ‘19

FEATURED PLAYER: DANNY BAEZA ‘19

TEAM WEAKNESS: Being too passionate for God’s game.

#7 FPCLG JUNIORS

FEATURED PLAYER DAVID HENDERSON ‘20

TEAM RECORD: 6-3 (but we’re 1-0 in the parking lot)

TEAM RECORD: 6-3 TEAM STRENGTH: Jordan Gatsos ’19 and Christian Gatsos ‘19 rebounding ability.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Senior Charlie Corrigan’s obsession With clout.

TEAM STRENGTH: Owning prime real estate in

our opponent’s heads gives us the edge. (Especially in Connor Heinz ‘19 head). Charlie Brizz ‘19 is the best chirper of our generation.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Neigo’s (Kyle Neigo ‘19)

noodle arms not being able to rebound the ball.

TEAM RECORD: 6-3 TEAM STRENGTH: Wet three point

shooting.

TEAM WEAKNESS: Finishing at the rim. *Team records as of Feb. 25

CHURCH LEAGUE

Page 20

Friday, March 1, 2019

COURT VISIONS Throughout the years, players have left LT teams to play for their respective Church League teams.

Whether it be to praise God, to face tougher competition or because they wanted to warm a different bench, here are a few of those players’ thoughts. Compiled by Tommy Layden ‘20 and Pilar Valdes ‘19.

“

I felt it was my Christian duty to humiliate Congo Hoops and expose Owen Figge’s ‘19 subpar athletic ability. LT basketball taught me quality trash talk and ‘no blood, no foul,’ but I play Church League for the chance to lead my beloved Francis Falcons to one more championship. #RollFalcons

”

-EMMETT CUSHING ‘19, SFX DILLON

“

Freshman year basketball has made me the man I am today. I decided to take my talents to Church League to show how much of a cupcake every kid is. There’s nothing like taking Macdon’s (Michael MacDonald ‘19) ankles out or popping a three right in Farnan’s (Patrick Farnan ‘19) face. I play for the love of the game. Coach K (Mark Kropke) once said ‘if you take practice easy, it will be a hard game. But if you go hard in practice it will be an easy game.’ I live these words and it shows on the court.

”

“

-JIMMY RIORDAN ‘19, CONGO SENIORS

I felt that going against Josh Berry ‘19 in practice every day just wasn’t the level of competition as I wanted so I made the switch after my sophomore season. Coach Marty Strus is the greatest basketball coach alive and he made me the player I am today. Church League will never compare to LT basketball.

Anyone on the LT varsity team would be an instant Church League legend.

-CHARLIE BRIZZ ‘19, SFX O’MALLEY SENIORS

“

”

I’ll give all credit to Coach K and Coach Ham (Bryan Hamilton) for giving us LT guys a huge advantage in this league. They did a great job of preparing us with the skills necessary to thrive here. Obviously LT was more competitive but the idea of Church League, just going out there and balling with all of your friends against other friends is what I love about it: there’s nothing better.

”

-THOMAS REMIJAS ‘19, CONGO SENIORS

LEAGUE

SMACKTALK Senior editors Pilar Valdes and Hayden Claesson have compiled their favorite tweets in this box just for you.

You may or may not agree with our choices, but we picked the most appropriate ones to share. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

7

SFX Dillon @SFXDillon

0

Finish the season 8-1 with a 20 point win over the Congo Jr. We’ve reached the “lethal” stage. Husdon: DNP

Congo Hoops Sr (7-2) @congohoops

1

1

@Church_League c’mon give us some competition already

18

Lucas Herbeck ‘18 @Herbyballer

2

Prepare yourselves for a season of twitter fights, cyber-bullying, and good old fashioned shaming. Church League, the greatest time of the year.

2

Congo Hoops Sr (7-2) @congohoops

69-32 dub over our brother Congo Junior team.

Harry McLawhorn went off with 15 points. Skip Locke STILL has ice in his veins.

SFX Dillon @SFXDillon

Church League News @Church_League

0

33

5

Let’s all just take a moment to remember one of the most terrifying squads ever put together in Church League history. I’m talking about the 2017-2018 Methodist team. They put their heart and soul into every game. Even though they went 0-10, they kept playing with their heads high.

16

Two big dubs today over St. Louise Senior and Ascension Junior.

49-42 44-49 Cushing: A lot of points Lenti: A lot of athleticism King: A lot of 3s Weller: A lot of everything Hammy: A lot of senior assassin Pollards: A lot of free throws missed Hudson: 2 games played in one day